SIPTU members vote for strike action in ESB pay claim

SIPTU members in the ESB today voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in pursuit of their 28 per cent pay claim lodged last November.

According to a SIPTU spokesman over 85 per cent of the 550 members balloted voted in favour of strike action.

SIPTU are this evening deciding on what form of industrial action to pursue and notice of strike action is expected to be served on the company by Wednesday.

With key staff in all the major power stations, SIPTU believe their members are in an influential position in the event of industrial action.

Responding to the announcement, ESB said they were continuing discussions with all the trade unions representing its 8,000 workers on a programme for change to meet the challenge of deregulation.

Spokesman, Mr Michael Kelly, said the company had to be guided by the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.

He added that the existing company industrial relations mechanisms, including the independent Industrial Council, should be fully explored before any action is considered.

The last time industrial action affected energy supplies was in 1991.