ESB workers likely to strikeover white paper

MORE than 6,000 ESB workers are expected to start strike action nationwide within the next two months in protest at the perceived implementation of the government’s energy white paper.

The action is in response to the ESB’s agreement to close four power plants as part of that paper.

The leaders of the combined unions have agreed wording of a ballot paper, which will be distributed to workers from September 18. The delay in the action is because it must be served on the company with a period of notice and it must then be sent for the attention of the ESB’s industrial council.

The unions had always said they would go ahead with strike action if and when there were any moves to implement the white paper, which they claim, sounds the death knell for the ESB and guarantees higher prices for the consumer.

Under the government’s plan, the ESB’s share in the electricity market will be reduced to 40% by 2010.

The closure of power plants in Wexford, Dublin, Kerry and Cork constitutes the loss of 1,300 megawatts of power generation. The closures were required by the Commission for Energy Regulation before it would give the go-ahead for the construction of a new 430MW plant at Aghada in Cork.

The decision was made in June, but the unions held off on balloting until the first plant was closed. They claim that has happened as the company has not renewed the licence for one of the plants at Poolbeg.

Brendan Ogle, of the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers’ Union, said the decision of the ESB board was an organisational change that was implemented to facilitate the white paper and that was not agreed with worker representatives.

An ESB spokesman said: “We have always managed to negotiate station closures in the past. While it is difficult as it has a human dimension, we are confident we can negotiate with the unions.”