Talks between the ESB and its group of unions yesterday failed to lift the threat of power cuts after next week.
SIPTU and the ESBOA have issued strike notice from Monday, April 23rd, in pursuit of a 30 per cent pay claim. They were joined at yesterday's talks by the ATGWU and TEEU.
The other unions will also issue strike notice, it was confirmed, but only after normal procedures have been exhausted.
Despite differences in strategy the unions have adopted a common position on pay, Mr Tony Dunne, a SIPTU branch secretary, indicated.
Yesterday's meeting, he said, was entirely unsatisfactory from the unions' viewpoint, and little progress was made. Further talks are planned for Tuesday.
The company declined to comment on the outcome of the meeting.
Neither management nor unions would indicate the scale of the difference separating the two sides, but it is believed to be considerable.
The unions are believed to have rejected an offer based on pay, bonuses and profit-sharing and to have sought a direct increase in existing rates.