ESB unions are expected to meet next week to consider the strike planned by SIPTU and the ESB Officers' Association for April 23rd.
There was a stormy meeting of officials from the main ESB unions yesterday over the decision of the two unions, which represent about 30 per cent of the workforce, to go it alone with their 28 per cent pay claim, according to informed sources.
Talks with the unions have stalled since 2,500 network technicians, who are members of SIPTU, the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union and Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union, rejected an 18.5 per cent pay offer last January.
Other unions, including the TEEU and ATGWU, must now decide if they will join SIPTU and the ESBOA in pursuing a common 28 per cent claim.
Even without their support, the two unions which served strike notice have the capacity to cause power cuts. SIPTU shop stewards are meeting today to begin planning industrial action. Their branch secretary, Mr Tony Dunne, confirmed strike notice had been lodged for April 23rd.