Talks bid to end electricians' strike

Striking electricians vowed to keep up their all-out stoppage today as union leaders re-enter talks with employers regarding a pay row.

The two sides will meet at the Labour Relations Commission for the third time this morning in an attempt to resolve the long-running row over pay rises.

Eamon Devoy, the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union general secretary, agreed to the talks by calling for a meaningful offer from employers.

“We are doing so out of deference to the Tánaiste and in the public interest,” he said.

“We are willing to engage in meaningful talks with the employers. However for these to take place will require the employers putting a meaningful offer on the table, which has not happened to date.”

The Government stopped short of forcing the two sides to negotiate but Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said they had been ordered back to restart talks.

The TEEU are seeking a €2.49-an-hour pay rise on standard wages of €21.49 an hour.