Management and ESB unions will start talks tomorrow to try and avert a strike planned for later this month.
Workers at the company are demanding a pay rise said to be in the region of 28 per cent.
If the situation remains unresolved, the five main workers' unions – ESBOA, SIPTU, ATGWU, TEEU and MSF - will begin continuous strike action on Monday, April 23rd.
SIPTU spokesman Mr Tony Dunne told ireland.comthe unions have in the past two days agreed a common position on pay and will present a united front to the management.
Mr Dunne said: "We are entering into discussions in good faith. Our intention is to solve the dispute through dialogue."
But a management spokesman refused to confirm whether talks were happening. He said both sides would be working to resolve the situation over the long weekend.
A strike would likely cause power cuts across the State.
