ICTU appeals to ESB unions to hold off on strike

UNIONS at ESB are expected to hold off on an all-out strike following a request from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).

Although one union has already served notice of strike from mid-July, the group of unions is expected to react favourably to the ICTU request.

ICTU general secretary David Beggs has pledged to raise unions' concerns with the Government over the next few weeks.

It is 13 years since Ireland has had power cuts because of ESB industrial action.

The unions are demanding an 18.5% pay rise and a 20% stake in the company.

They also sought clarification on a number of other issues when they met with management last Tuesday.

ESB management said the strike threat was totally unwarranted.

In May, by a five-to-one majority, the 8,000-strong staff voted for industrial action. Negotiations with the company broke down early last month.

The ESB Officers Association - representing 2,300 workers - acted independently and has threatened strike from July 12.

However, it is expected the unions will seriously consider the ICTU request not to implement a strike threat until all attempts at resolving the dispute have been exhausted.

Mr Beggs advised the unions earlier this week that he raised their concerns with the secretary general of the Department of the Taoiseach, Dermot McCarthy. He said there was insufficient time to examine the problems in detail because of the national pay talks, which ended 11 days ago.

He said it was also not possible to pursue the matter with the Government while it was winding down its six-month EU presidency term in late June.

Mr Beggs expressed a hope industrial peace would reign until solutions were found.