Pay dispute at National Grid

A pay dispute has arisen between staff and management at the National Grid, the electricity transmission system operator formerly…

A pay dispute has arisen between staff and management at the National Grid, the electricity transmission system operator formerly owned by the ESB, which was "ring-fenced" as a State-owned body in February, following deregulation proposals.

Staff at the National Grid have been working an interim agreement since the industry was liberalised. They now say the agreement has expired and they are demanding extra payment to continue working the new system. Earlier this week they reverted to pre-February work duties. Most of the approximately 100 staff are represented by MSF and the ESB Officers' Association.

In a separate development, the ESBOA has issued notice of industrial action in mid-October unless a 16.5 per cent pay claim is granted.