Unions must put country’s best interests first

THE ESB threat to strike from June 21 is a potentially devastating blow to the Irish economy.

As a State monopoly, providing a vital service to the country, it should be illegal for the ESB to strike. However, this is not the case.

It is about time the union movement in Ireland comes to understand that what is best for the country supersedes union interests. Furthermore, only the most uninitiated can claim, as does the union representing the ESB workers, that increased competition will lead to higher prices for the Irish consumers.