The ESB Group of Unions will meet to consider its members recent vote for industrial action in Wynn’s Hotel, Abbey Street, Dublin, on Friday (22nd November). At the meeting a request from the senior management of the ESB to meet with the Group of Unions will be discussed.In a ballot which was counted on Monday (18th November), ESB workers voted by a majority of 87.5% to 12.5% to take industrial action in a dispute arising from a €1.6 billion deficit in the pension scheme at the semi-state company.Among the approximately 240 SIPTU members in the ESB workforce of several thousand the vote in favour of industrial action was 97% for and 3% against.Workers oppose the company's decision to pay a dividend of €78m to the State during the summer while the pension deficit remains outstanding. They also oppose the possible payment of a special dividend of €400m to the Exchequer following the sale of some ESB assets.The management of the ESB claims that following a restructuring of the pension scheme in 2010, under which the company contributed €591m, it no longer has responsibility for the deficit.
ESB Group of Unions meeting
