Around 20 members of the Unite trade union in ESB’s Engineering and Major Projects business unit, have begun a ban on non-emergency work outside of normal hours.
The decision follows a unanimous ballot for industrial action in a dispute over overtime pay.
The engineers have responsibility for the frontline commissioning and maintenance of high voltage infrastructure.
According to Unite, its members are not paid a standard overtime rate but instead are eligible for a legacy ‘excess hours’ allowance with various threshold conditions attached which can result in work being unpaid.
“Our members have been left with no alternative but to pursue industrial action,” said Unite regional officer Michael O’Brien.
“The action will inevitably result in severe disruption to the electrical network but the ESB has brought this on itself.”
“It has had every opportunity to resolve this dispute and end the injustice but has failed to do so,” Mr O’Brien said.
A spokesperson for ESB said it has been notified that industrial action is being undertaken by “a small number of members of Unite employed in the Engineering and Major Projects business unit.”
“ESB has assessed the impact of the action and can confirm that fault response and emergency services remain fully covered and ESB will continue to maintain a safe and reliable service for customers,” the spokesperson said.
“ESB remains committed to engaging constructively with Unite on the matters in dispute.”
“The company will continue to utilise its established industrial relations procedures to seek a resolution and to facilitate ongoing engagement between the parties,” ESB added.
