Talks to avert industrial action at Eirgrid

Both sides are in talks in an effort to avert industrial action at national grid operator Eirgrid.

More than 90 per cent of State-owned Eirgrid’s 200 workers voted last week for industrial action in a dispute over pensions and pay, threatening power supplies to homes and businesses.

However, both sides have entered talks in an effort to stave off any industrial action and are said to be optimistic that the negotiations can and will end successfully.

Members of the Energy Sector Professionals’ Association (ESPA), affiliated to Unite, are unhappy with the way Eirgrid introduced changes to a pension scheme.

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They also say they have endured a decade-long pay freeze, although it is understood that the State company maintains that it has increased wages during that time.