ESB workers and management are deadlocked in talks on a millennium bonus. Some staff are threatening not to report for duty over the new year if a deal is not concluded.
Normally, the company's engineers and plant managers provide emergency cover in the event of disputes but they have just completed a strike ballot over pay and say they will not do so on this occasion.
The company wants to put in place a special "straddle shift" that will operate from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., in case of Y2K problems. Normal ESB shifts operate from 4 p.m. to midnight, midnight to 8 a.m. and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The unions put in a claim for more than £3,500 to work through the millennium. Meanwhile, agreement on millennium payments has still to be reached with Aer Lingus pilots and in the health services. The pilots have concluded a ballot for strike action on issues ranging from millennium payments to basic pay rates and leave entitlements. The dispute in the health services is to be heard by the Labour Court next Wednesday and there is growing concern that if a resolution to all these disputes is not achieved soon, essential services may be affected.
The ESB group of unions is to meet with management on Monday to discuss the millennium payments package. Yesterday, the senior union negotiator, Mr Denis Rohan of the ATGWU, said a "substantial gap" still separated the two sides. "I would be worried if there is no successful outcome soon."
Mr Rohan said: "We have people in strategic positions and they should be treated no less favourably than people in other key locations such as the banks."
Originally, the unions had sought up to £3,500 for the 600 staff required to work or be on standby. The company offered £250. It is understood that the company is now offering up to £1,000 but the unions are looking for £2,000, about the same amount being paid to information technology specialists in sectors such as banking. A spokesman for the company said there was an expectation that the problem could be resolved. The ESB had spent £12 million on a Y2K compliance programme, which had been tested successfully.
The ESB engineers are due to meet management separately on Monday to discuss salary scales. However their union, MSF, says that talks will take place only if management gives a commitment to negotiate seriously on outstanding pay issues.