Metro Herald, December 9, 2013

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Monday, December 9, 2013

www.dublinatchristmas.ie Visit facebook.com/dublinatchristmas #DublinatChristmas

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ESB strike threat lifted after talks A THREATENED strike by ESB workers that would have seen homes and businesses across the country plunged into darkness has been averted after unions resolved their dispute with management. Workers were poised to stage a walk-out next Monday in a row over the company’s pension fund. But the action has been avoided after a weekend of crunch talks with union and management representatives. Unions withdrew the strike threat after saying it had secured protections for the pension scheme. The resolution was facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission. A statement on behalf of the ESB Group of Unions said staff had been subjected to unfair public criticism during the dispute. ‘The ESB workers have been publicly vilified for nothing more than protecting themselves and their families against an attempted destruction of their bought and paid for pension rights,’ it said.

by david KEarnS

The statement also praised the ‘unity and determination’ of the workers, their representatives and the trade union movement. The ESB welcomed the withdrawal of the strike notice. In a statement, it said: ‘A strike would have had extremely damaging consequences for electricity consumers, businesses, the economy and the company.’ The company said its ‘financial strength’ had been protected by the settlement and expressed regret for the ‘unnecessary worry, inconvenience and uncertainty caused by the threat of power outages’. Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte said the settlement was ‘unqualified good news at this critical juncture of the year and of the country’s economic recovery’. He added that both parties deserved credit for ‘ending the uncertainty’ that threatened to do ‘disproportionate damage’ to the country.

GRAFTON STREET & STEPHEN’S GREEN CENTRE

GET YOUR CHRISTMAS ON!

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piano palS: Rachel Hekova, 7, Kilkenny and Keeva Fennelly, 4, from Waterford play some plinky plonk at the launch of singer-songwriter JP Ryan’s charity Christmas gift card single, Home, in aid of The Carers Association available from selected outlets and www.jpryan.com PICTURE: PaT mooRE

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