Rhode closure referred to ESB joint council

The disputed closure of the defunct ESB plant at Rhode, Co Offaly, was referred yesterday yet again to the company's Joint Industrial Council.

The development follows the failure of managers and unions at the ESB to reach agreement on a plan for the orderly closure of the power station, which has not produced electricity since May last year. Despite this, about 100 workers are clocking in every day. In addition to their normal pay, they are receiving shift allowances and they have also received national and local pay rises.

The referral to the industrial council indicates that the plant may yet remain open through the Christmas period and into January, almost a year after the ESB board decided not to reopen it.

It indicates that there is no end in sight to the deadlock arising due to the workers' demand for compensation for the stress they claim due to asbestos exposure.

The board gathers today for its monthly meeting. While there was an expectation that a special board meeting might be called in the next fortnight, it is thought that the board will consider the outcome of the process at the industrial council first. This could take some weeks, for logistical reasons, said one informed person.

In a statement yesterday, the ESB said: "The current series of negotiations between ESB management and the trade unions on the orderly closure of Rhode power station have failed to reach agreement and the matter has now been referred to the ESB industrial council."

With two members from the ESB management team and two trade union representatives, the council is chaired by the businessman, Mr Kieran McGowan. Though perceived as a influential body, the workers voted during the summer not to accept its decision that negotiations on closure take place.

It is thought that the workers were offered yesterday a package equivalent to their former colleagues in another Co Offaly station at Rhode, i.e. a lump sum comprising two year's salary plus ongoing payment of half their salary until retirement age. The referral to the council suggests they rejected it.