ESBOA plans strike action

The ESB Officers’ Association has informed the company of its intention to go on strike next month as part of a dispute over pay.

The company said this morning that the union had served notice of planned industrial action from July 12.

The ESBOA and other unions at ESB are seeking pay increases of 18.5% and an increase in employee share ownership from 5% to around 20%.

Talks on the issue collapsed two weeks ago. The unions are meeting today to discuss the possibility of going on strike over the matter, but the ESBOA appears to have already made up its mind on the matter.

The ESB said today it was gravely concerned about the union’s decision, but assured customers there was no immediate threat to electricity supplies.