Hopes raised of resolution to ESB dispute

Representatives of the three ESB unions have recommended a return to work by members of the ATGWU following a meeting at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) headquarters tonight.

The General Secretary of Congress David Begg told the meeting that ESB management had confirmed to him that it would engage with the unions to negotiate the issues at the core of the dispute.

Tonight's meeting was held following a decision by Ictu's executive council that Mr Begg would liase with the three unions at the company in an attempt to resolve the dispute.

The dispute is over the extent to which outside contractors are involved in the delivery of a €3.6 billion programme to upgrade and modernise the company's network.

About 1,700 external contractors are at present employed by ESB Networks, alongside some 2,200 staff technicians. More than half of these are represented by the ATGWU and most of the remainder by the TEEU, while a small number are in Siptu.

The three unions at the company have been divided over the strike. Mick O'Reilly, Regional Secretary of the ATGWU, Owen Wills, General Secretary of the TEEU and Jack O'Connor, the General President of Siptu attended the meeting along with the President and General Secretary of Ictu.

It is not clear if striking workers will return to work immediately. However, it is understood the outcome of tonight's meeting will be put to members of the ATGWU's national executive.

General Secretary of the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union, Owen Wills, welcomed the outcome of tonight's meeting. "I look forward to working with my colleagues in the other ESB unions to ensure we can secure the best deal possible for all our members through the talks process", he said.

Siptu General President Jack O'Connor, who also attended the meeting, welcomed the intervention of Ictu President Peter McLoone and General Secretary David Begg.

He said that a return to the talks' process was "in the best interests of ESB workers and consumers".