ESB unofficial strike threatens power supplies

Unofficial industrial action by ESB workers could lead to the disruption of power supplies from next weekend as part of escalating…

Unofficial industrial action by ESB workers could lead to the disruption of power supplies from next weekend as part of escalating row.

Union representatives for network technicians and power station staff have called for the action after a worker director claimed he was effectively removed from his position in a row over the company's €511 million pension deficit.

TEEU members said Mr Joe LaCumbre was removed from his position, having raised "legitimate concerns" about the pension.

Although union officials have not specified the exact nature of the strike to be taken it is understood it will start at Friday at 8 a.m. with network technicians not reporting for duty again until Monday morning.

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This would not lead to a wide-scale loss of power, but it makes localised power cuts that weekend likely as repairs would not be carried out.

Mr LaCumbre's contends that he was removed from the board following a vote, in the absence of ESB chairman, Mr Tadgh O'Donoghue, that another board member, Mr Eoin Fahy, act as chairman.

An ESB spokesman said Mr LaCumbre was still the company's deputy chairman. The ESB board meets on Tuesday next week.