Water Service Closures - Rights of Employees must be Protected - Hillis
Ulster Unionist East Londonderry assembly member, Norman Hillis, has said the rights of Water Service employees in the area must be protected as rationalisation proposals to close local offices and depots begins to bite.
The MLA said: “Water Service is consulting on rationalisation proposals to close seven local offices and depots in a bid to save £1.2 million over the next five years.
“While the Service claims that no jobs will be lost, 75 people will face relocation which will not be acceptable to some. The rights of these employees must be protected.
”The proposed depots for closure by this summer include Limavady, Ballycastle and Ballymoney which means there are few choices for transferring to nearby work locations for those affected by the moves.
“While I welcome efficiency measures, including a rationalisation of work centres, to streamline the service and reduce costs, it must not disadvantage staff who will be asked to relocate.”
Mr. Hillis also expressed the hope that customers would not be inconvenienced by the changes.
“Water Service claims the level and quality of service to customers will be maintained. I am aware that a small number of customers currently make payments at the offices earmarked for closure so any measures to assist them to change their method of payment will be vitally important,” he concluded.