Power cuts risk as ESB braces for strike

The possibility of power cuts coming into the winter months has increased after it emerged that 1,300 staff at the ESB look set to be balloted for industrial action up to strike.

A meeting was understood to have taken place yesterday of shop stewards from the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union who represent the staff at the utility ahead of a ballot.

The union’s members have twice rejected a proposed agreement which would see pay increases of 5.5% over two years as well as a lump sum payment of €2,750. That is in addition to a 2% increase paid last year.