ESB union boss: workers 'being held to ransom' over pension scheme

The ESB union head has denied holding the country to ransom over a potential black-out in the run up to Christmas.

Brendan Ogle said there is still a chance of an all-out strike after December 16, if the row over the company's pension deficit isn't resolved.

Brendan Ogle says workers are not impervious to the effect a strike would have, but he said they have to fight back.

"The people being held to ransom here are the 4,000 people in this pension scheme, who have an employer who is saying to them: we're going to take your money every week. We're going to wipe away your pension.

"And if you do defend yourself or do anything about it, the Irish public and the Irish media will turn on you.

"They're the people being held to ransom."

Both sides are due to meet for talks on Thursday, but the union said management has so far not committed to the meeting.