THE ESB board has deferred a decision on the company's £270 million Cost and Competitiveness Review (CCR) pending the outcome of a new vote by shiftworkers.
The result of the ballot is expected in the middle of next week.
Shiftworkers rejected the CCR in the original ballot, but have agreed to vote again following the intervention of the ICTU general secretary, Mr Peter Cassells, who had sought clarification of the proposals last week. The ESB provided him with a clarification document which he has presented to the shiftworkers' negotiating committee.
The other categories of workers in the company, representing 94 per cent of ESB staff, accepted the CCR on April 11th.
The ESB said yesterday it had dealt with any possible concerns on the safety issue.
The training and development programme in relation to changes in work practices was set out, with its primary requirement to ensure that the new work practices and staffing levels can be accommodated while meeting all company and national safety requirements.
Each power station will have a specific plan for the implementation of changes in work practices which will be jointly agreed between management and unions.
The monitoring and auditing of the safety aspects of the change programme will be a primary feature and will be carried out at three levels, local, independent and external.
The ATGWU, which represents the majority of the 560, workers, has made no recommendation to its members.
SIPTU, which represents 25 per cent of the workers, is recommending rejection.
The Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, has described the implementation of the CCR in its entirety as of "crucial importance to the future of the company."