ESB union rift widens as strike ballot labelled ‘knee-jerk’ reaction

DIVISIONS between the unions representing workers at the ESB have deepened after the TEEU described talk of balloting members for strike action as a “knee-jerk reaction”.

The TEEU (Technical Engineering and Electrical Union), the second-biggest of the five unions representing the 7,000 workers, made its remarks after the largest union, Unite, said it would begin balloting its members in response to the Government’s proposed sell-off of part of the state-owned power company.

TEEU general secretary Eamon Devoy said last night that talk of striking only played into the hands of foreign energy companies and those in favour of full privatisation.