The prospect of widespread power blackouts moved a step closer yesterday after workers at the ESB voted by a five-to-one majority to take industrial action. Chris Dooley, Industry and Employment Correspondent, reports.
It will be at least three weeks, however, before action can be implemented. Unions emphasised that they were available for talks in the meantime. More than 8,000 workers are represented by the ESB group of unions, which announced the ballot result yesterday. It said industrial action, up to and including a strike, would take place "in the event of any structural or organisational change being imposed" by the company without agreement.
Employment conditions at the company are governed by the three-year PACT agreement, which is due to expire in June. Unions want a successor deal to include an 18.5 per cent pay increase over the next three years, as well as a 20 per cent stake in the company.
Management, however, has told unions it wants full delivery of the PACT before negotiating a new agreement. About 800 job cuts, of a total of 2,500 agreed under the PACT, have yet to be implemented. Unions say they have delivered everything that was required of them and are prepared to discuss extending the PACT beyond June if necessary.
In a statement, the group of unions encouraged "all parties to intensify their efforts to secure a fair and equitable solution". The ESB said it was "seriously concerned" at the outcome of the ballot.
If the issues are not resolved, the strike could be triggered next month if the Government decides to go ahead with plans to build a new plant at the Moneypoint station in Clare. Talks on the matter had stalled, and unions would be likely to view any unilateral decision to proceed with upgrading the station as "structural change".