Threat of ESB power cuts averted as deal struck

The threat of power cuts over Christmas was lifted last night after the pensions row between unions and management at the ESB ended in what unions called “a landmark victory”.

An all-out electricity strike had been threatened as of 8am next Monday, with the disputes committee of the ESB Group of Unions claiming last Friday that power cuts were likely.

But just after 5pm yesterday, it emerged that the dispute was over, with crunch weekend talks facilitated by the LRC finalising a deal.