Eircell customers were deprived of access to operators on the network's helpline for about two hours yesterday afternoon because of renewed unofficial action by Eircom staff. As with last week's stoppage, the company says disruption to services was minimal.
Further industrial action is likely next week unless Eircom unions and management can resolve their differences over the disposal of Eircell. The group of unions has issued strike notice for next Wednesday but it is unlikely full-scale industrial action will follow immediately.
The unions want Eircom to compensate 1,200 staff transferring with Eircell to Vodafone for the loss of their shares in the Employee Share Option Trust (ESOT). It is estimated they would lose about £40,000 each if forced to leave the ESOT prematurely.
Eircom management has suggested the unions change the rules of ESOT or complete the notional allocation of ESOT tranches before Eircell is sold to Vodafone. The unions have indicated they would pay a proportionate amount of the compensation to departing Eircell staff, about £7 million of the estimated £49 million, but no more.