AquaGib management strongly rejects the claims made by Unite the Union regarding the alleged grievances of AquaGib’s Reverse Osmosis (RO) Department staff. These claims, which have led to Unite the Union backing industrial action, are wholly unreasonable.

AquaGib deeply regrets the decision taken by Unite and staff at the RO department this morning to power down the RO plant. This, in turn, meant that water production in Gibraltar was halted from 8am this morning and production of water did not resume until 14:45hrs, following the lifting of industrial action by Unite the Union. AquaGib has agreed to meet with the RO staff members on Monday morning but will, under no circumstances, agree to their unreasonable and unjustified pay claim of 27%.

The demands outlined by the RO Department staff amount to an unjustified 27% increase in allowances, broken down as follows:

• 10% for high chemical exposure
• 5% for working on slopes
• 5% for operating in tunnels/dangerous areas
• 7% for extreme pressure exposure

In addition, they are calling for an allowance granted to three of their eight colleagues in August 2023 to be made pensionable. These demands fail to acknowledge that the tasks for which they are seeking additional allowances are already a part of their job descriptions and are fully accounted for in their current remuneration.

AquaGib is in the process of undertaking a company-wide review of staffing levels, pay levels and allowances. Staff have been encouraged to await the outcome of this independent process. Therefore, AquaGib believes that the decision to initiate industrial action at this stage is as premature as it is unreasonable and unjustifiable.

AquaGib cannot and will not accept demands that are excessive, unreasonable, and completely unsustainable. AquaGib employees, including those in the RO department, already enjoy exceptionally competitive salaries and benefits packages, and further increasing their remuneration by 27% is neither necessary nor affordable.

AquaGib urges Unite the Union and the affected employees to reconsider their stance and engage constructively with the ongoing review process. Industrial action is not in the best interests of the company, its employees, or the wider community of Gibraltar.