The Energy Minister insists the ESB pension scheme is among the safest in Ireland, despite workers concerns which could lead to industrial action.
As unions and management at the Electricity Supply Board begin talks this afternoon in a bid to avert pre-Christmas power cuts, Pat Rabbite has told Clare FM that he’s confident a deal can be found.
This, he says, is because the pension scheme is robust and because there is a tradition of strong industrial relations at ESB.
Meanwhile, the ESB group of unions has issued a statement ahead of today’s talks asking for management to back up Minister Rabbite’s claim that their pension scheme is not in danger.
Strike notice is due to be served on the ESB tomorrow, if a deal is not found, with industrial action beginning on December 16th, but unions say this won’t occur if they get the re-assurances they’re seeking.
