Threat of industrial action by ESB staff

Workers would get a pay rise of 5.5pc over two-and-a-half years, as well as a lump-sum payment of €2,750 under the proposals Stock photo: Depositphotos

Anne-Marie Walsh

There is a threat of industrial action at the ESB after a union representing more than 1,300 workers rejected a pay deal that would slash new recruits' pay.

The Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) said 85pc of its members at the State-owned power company rejected the proposals yesterday.

The prospect of a ballot for industrial action will be considered at a meeting of the union's executive committee tomorrow.

Workers would get a pay rise of 5.5pc over two-and-a-half years, as well as a lump-sum payment of €2,750 under the proposals. The deal would cover the period up to the end of September 2018.

General secretary of the TEEU Eamon Devoy said the main bone of contention for his members is the fact that roughly 250 of them who joined within the last two-and-a-half years would be on less favourable terms than their colleagues.

"One group joined in the last two-and-a-half years and the others are there since May 2015," he said. "If members accepted these proposals, they would be on less favourable terms than have been agreed in collective agreements."