COUNCILLORS in the Glenties Municipal District have unanimously agreed to lend their support to striking ESB technicians.
Over 500 ESB technicians nationwide have staged four strikes in recent weeks.
Last week, the technicians, who are members of the Independent Workers’ Union (IWU) held a 48-hour stoppage and are continuing to work-to-rule.
ESB initiated legal proceedings against the union.
In a motion to this month’s Glenties MD meeting, Cllr Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig called for members to write to the ESB and ask them to speak to the striking technicians’ representatives.
In the motion, Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said: ‘It is unconscionable and disgraceful that a nationalised company owned by the people of this country would threaten legal action against a group of workers rather than engage with them around the table. It is crucial that the right of trade unions to represent their members is understood as essential in a democratic society.’
Cllr Micheal Mac Giolla Easbuig
He told the meeting: “This is to ensure ESB is not privatised for the benefit of future generations. The Government is moving to privatisation and it is a pity. We have an excellent ESB service and they help out in times of crisis.”
A former ESB worker of 18 years, Cllr Anthony Molloy said that the ESB should engage with the workers and ‘have a level playing field’.
Cllr Marie Therse Gallagher said: “We should try to stop the privatisation of every service in the wee country. Any voice that we can add to that is well done.”
Cllr Noreen McGarvey said these were the same technicians contacted regularly by Councillors regarding issues with public lighting and Cllr Michael McClafferty added: “They are there in the dark of night for us so we need to be there for them in daylight.”
Donegal County Council said arrangements would now be made to write to the ESB on the matter.
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