ESB unions will hold fire on industrial action until ICTU general secretary Mr David Begg has had the opportunity to negotiate directly with the Government, it emerged today.
At an information meeting held earlier today, union groups at the semi-state electricity company unanimously agreed to back away from escalating the dispute until Mr Beggs had been given time to intervene in settlement talks.
However, today's meeting failed to alter the ESB Officers Association's (ESBOA) decision to strike later this month.
Speaking after the meeting Mr Tony Dunne said the "strike action notice still stood" and pledged that "it would come into effect if no solution emerges".
Mr Dunne also confirmed the organisation is looking for a package that "deals with the pension problem" and said the 18.5 per cent pay claim was unlikely to be endorsed by the ESB.
The independent union - representing 2,300 workers - is proposing an "integerated package" solution that includes a "non-superannuated" lump-sum payout over three to four years as well as an increase in each workers' stake in the company.
Mr Dunne said his primary concern in reaching a resolution was not to "exacerbate the pension deficit", which stands at €510 million.
Other union representatives claim the issue of shares is crucial to any settlement.
Mr Paddy Reilly, group spokesperson, said unions had "agreed that some change in the company was inevitable" but claimed "the quid pro quo to that was making shares available to workers."
He said he did not know yet whether the wage settlement would be "integrated or not integrated" and acknowledged there are "a lot of different views between the union groups" on this issue.
It's not clear whether Mr Beggs's intervention is subject to a strict timetable. The ESBOA's executive will meet next Tuesday to discuss the situation. Their strike notice is due to expire on July 12th.