'No jobs to be lost' in privatised bin service

WATERFORD CITY Council has said no jobs will be lost as a result of its decision to privatise its waste collection service in the new year.

Councillors voted by eight votes to seven in favour of ending the council service at a meeting in City Hall on Monday night.

The decision will affect 11,000 customers in the city.

Some workers gathered outside the meeting to protest against privatisation of the service, which has a shortfall in funding of €789,000.

Even if no jobs are lost, the workers say they could lose thousands of euro per year in bonus-related payments and overtime.

Waterford city manager Michael Walsh told the meeting the council’s budget had been reduced by more than €7 million in less than two years.

Without privatisation, an additional charge of €30 would have to apply to customers, including up to 4,500 households which pay an annual €50 waiver charge.

Cllr Jack Walsh (Lab) was heckled from the gallery by a local campaigner after he signalled his intention to support the budget plan.

Cllr Dick Roche (Ind), who voted against, said there was a “lot of talk about the ‘reality’ of the situation”. He said “maybe someday the reality of the situation might” result in the privatisation of fire services, schools and hospitals.