ESB workers vote for action

Workers at ESB have voted in favour of industrial action over a pension row.

Union leaders are to meet on Friday to consider the next step after almost 90% of Unite members at the ESB backed the action.

Unite official Richie Browne said the result was 87.5% in favour of action and 12.5% against.

“This overwhelming result indicates the strength of feeling over unilateral changes to the staff pension scheme,” he said. “Union members are determined to defend their pension rights.”

The row centres on a €1.6bn deficit in the company pension scheme and the company’s decision to pay a dividend of €78m to the State during the summer.

The company said it was disappointed with the outcome of the ballot but that it would continue to work to “resolve the issues directly with the group of unions”.

The ESB group of unions includes the Energy Services Union, Siptu, TEEU, UCATT and Unite.