The employers’ group Ibec has said that the business community is very disturbed by the decision of the ESB to pay a 3.5 per cent increase to its staff under the new national pay deal.
Speaking at Government Buildings where talks with the social partners on the economy are continuing, Ibec’s director of policy Danny McCoy said that while the impact of the increase would not have a significant effect on electricity prices, he questioned the symbolism of the move.
Mr McCoy said the issue of enrgy costs was under discussion as part of talks with Government officials on a new economic recovery programme.
The general secretary of the Ictu Daivd Begg said that the ESB had only been adhering to the terms of the national agreement.
