A chara, – Denis O’Donoghue (November 26th) makes an important point: if ESB workers take industrial action it is likely that many who have nothing to do with this dispute will be left without heat. What happens to the old, the sick, the vulnerable, and families with young children if the power goes out? Many modern homes do not even have a fireplace as an alternative. A cold winter would make for a brutal and potentially lethal season.
While I understand the workers have legitimate concerns, I do not think it acceptable that innocent third parties should not only endure real suffering but be put at risk. Perhaps the time has come for our Government to recognise the service this industry provides is too important to people’s health and well-being to be treated as a bargaining chip and, if need be, change the law to prohibit it being used as one. – Is mise,
Revd Fr PATRICK G
BURKE,
Castlecomer,
Co Kilkenny.
Sir, – ESB pensioners wish to offer their support to ESB staff in their stance against the company, which is distancing itself from the issue of the pension fund deficit.
We hope the staff will be successful in their efforts to ensure the ESB accepts responsibility for this pension fund deficit and any future deficits that may arise. We also hope they continue the fight to resolve this issue while they are still in service in the company because once they become pensioners they won’t have a voice; ESB certainly won’t listen to them, and they will find it impossible to stand up for their rights to protect their pensions into the future. – Yours, etc,
TONY COLLINS,
Chairman,
ESB Pensioners Association,
Elton Court,
Leixlip,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – I don’t understand the logic of ESB workers threatening industrial action. They obviously have an issue with management regarding the operation of their pension fund. But we, the general public, had nothing to do with this. We pay our bills on time and have in reality, because of its monopoly position, built up the ESB to the strong organisation it has become. Why would they now seek to punish the very people who have supported it just to get back at management? Surely there are other avenues to explore without inconveniencing the public, especially coming up to Christmas. –Yours, etc,
EAMONN KITT,
Tuam,
Co Galway.