Special payment ruled out for Rhode power station workers

The Government has ruled out making any special payments to workers at a defunct power station in Co Offaly who want compensation for their exposure to asbestos.

Up to 100 workers have clocked in every day since production at the plant in Rhode ceased in May last year. Talks on a closure package have made little progress because workers want compensation for "stress" linked to asbestos exposure. The ESB rejects that.

It is understood that the ESB is supported in its stance by the Department of Finance and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

In addition, the Departments are understood to have ruled out in strong terms a better severance deal than that agreed at another ESB plant in Co Offaly at Ferbane. That plant closed last December, two years after production ceased.

Workers at Rhode want improved terms to leave their employment. Keeping Ferbane open cost the ESB €8.89 million. About 100 workers there received a lump sum equivalent to two year's salary and ongoing payments of half their salary until retirement age. Such conditions are regarded in Government circles as the maximum available.

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern, has not made any public statement about the affair at Rhode.

His spokesman said: "The issues involved are for the company and the trade unions to resolve."

Even though no power has been produced, the wage bill since the start of the year has reached €2.76 million. The bill last year after produce ceased was €1.8 million.

Yet another session of talks on the closure of Rhode has been scheduled today in advance of an ESB board meeting tomorrow, which is expected to be dominated by the issue. It is understood that directors were advised last month to clear their diaries for an emergency board meeting when the talks appeared to break down.

The ESB is reluctant to lock workers out of the plant, but it is thought that individuals at senior levels in the company are increasingly frustrated about the situation. The company is particularly keen to avoid a repeat of the Ferbane situation, which was only resolved last December.

Managers are refusing to discuss any compensation for "stress", but say they will deal individually with any workers who become physically sick due to asbestos exposure.

Only a handful of workers have contracted the asbestos-linked condition pleural plaque, but their colleagues say they are stressed because asbestos-linked illnesses lie dormant for years.

Meanwhile, the ESB board is also expected to appoint a new human resources director tomorrow to replace Mr Seán O'Driscoll, who signalled his departure during the summer. Two internal candidates are on the shortlist: Mr Luke Shinners and Mr John Campion.