ESB could lose thousands of retail customers if strike proceeds

The ESB faces losing tens of thousands of retail customers if a threatened strike by the energy company’s workers goes ahead.

The country’s largest retail industry body, Retail Excellence Ireland (REI) has said it will do all it can to encourage employers across its own sector and the wider economy to remove their business from ESB to a “more market-focused energy provider” in the event that strike goes ahead after Dec 16.

“What the last week has taught us is that in ESB/ Electric Ireland, the union and staff have no understanding of the real world and the harsh economy we live in today,” said David Fitzsimons, REI chief executive.