The Connect Trade Union Joins the Trade Union Right2Water campaign for a constitutional referendum to retain water in public ownership
The Connect Trade Union has decided to join the Right2Water Campaign and is calling on the Government to abolish water charges with immediate effect. The Connect Trade Union is the country’s largest craft union.
Connect Trade Union General Secretary Eamon Devoy says that the decision of his union executive is in line with the policy of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions calling for a constitutional referendum to retain water in public ownership in perpetuity as a necessary precondition to restructuring how this vital resource is delivered.
“We have decided to join the Right2Water campaign to better highlight the issues of concern to our members”, he said today.
“The call for a referendum to secure the consolidation of Irish Water in public ownership will secure the jobs of thousands of workers already providing essential maintenance and repair programmes to Irish Water through service level agreements from local authorities throughout the country.
“By withdrawing the water charge and holding a referendum the Government will clear the way for a considered debate on how best to carry out a badly needed overhaul of water services, while having regard for the environmental issues involved and the EU Laws governing the delivery and protection of water as our most precious and essential commodity.”
