Workers take on TasWater

UNIONS have warned about disruptions, with members employed at TasWater expected to take industrial action from next week as they push for safer on call arrangements and wage increases.

Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union organiser Lee Archer said the union’s members would begin 15-minute work stoppages from Wednesday. “We’re renegotiating the agreements that expired in June, TasWater pulled away from negotiations and decided to go with what they think,” she said.

A TasWater spokeswoman said the offer would allow the business to operate sustainably. “TasWater has accepted many of the unions’ claims and has offered a reasonable remuneration increase ... if any of the enterprise agreements are not successfully approved by employees, TasWater will reenter negotiations with unions for those enterprise agreements,” he said.

Members from several other unions including the Australian Workers Union and the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union were expected to take part in the industrial action.