ESB vote to strike over gold plated pensions as winter arrives

Boombastic · 22-11-2013 11:56PM

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Y'see, this and "You must work for them" is really really poor arguing.

I have been working in the private sector for nearly 13 years, so that's... that I guess.

And ESB isn't public sector. Shur all the people arguing it is, know it isn't a government department... which is what constitutes public sector.

stating that the state should step in to save a private companies is a nonsense argument

also. can you prove your claim the indo is anti esb?

steddyeddy · 23-11-2013 12:32AM

Postman Pat, postman pat and his unionized cat. Early in the morning, They're still in bed a-snoring, And I'm wondering where's my post you ****ing twat

Gumbo · 23-11-2013 12:57AM

steddyeddy wrote: »

Postman Pat, postman pat and his unionized cat. Early in the morning, They're still in bed a-snoring, And I'm wondering where's my post you ****ing twat

Did you check your letterbox?

Capt'n Midnight · 23-11-2013 12:34PM

IF there are strikes, are we looking at work to rule, rolling blackouts or what - how long would people be without power at a time ?

If the government were to allow the ESB workers avail of the normal old age pension with the normal means testing would that be acceptible ?

Does this affect Eirgrid or Electricity Ireland or ESB Networks ( or ESB Telecoms OMG the intenets :eek: )

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 23-11-2013 02:08PM

Eirgrid are not an ESB company. Airtiricty and other suppliers could only be affected if no juice flows through the networks. There are independent generators in the market now so there should be juice but hardly sufficient.
Read the papers or listen to the news. They have not decided what the industrial action will be. It could be a work to rule, an all out strike, or portions of the business striking. Many years ago they just stopped revenue collection, which had minimal affect on customers but stopped the cash coming in.
Nobody yet knows what, if any action, will come about.

ixoy · 23-11-2013 03:18PM

Averi Mango Villain wrote: »

They have not decided what the industrial action will be. It could be a work to rule, an all out strike, or portions of the business striking.

As much as I despite the potential for disruption, you're right about this bit. I would suspect the "work to rule" part. What effect that would have is that if there's, for example, a snow storm nobody will put any extra effort into fixing the issue so people would indeed be suffering blackouts as a result of industrial action.
If they do of course go for an all-out strike and introduce periods of black outs right in the Christmas period, when people and businesses require it most, then boards.ie would just censor the words I'd have to describe them.

Carlos Orange · 23-11-2013 03:49PM

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

IF there are strikes, are we looking at work to rule, rolling blackouts or what - how long would people be without power at a time ?

Who knows. I assume it will fall apart when the first granny dies in a cold house. Can you imagine the pr from that.

Must remember to call my mum and check she has plenty of coal.

Rosier · 23-11-2013 05:14PM

Is there not a law here as there is in the Uk that a person's power cannot be disconnected in winter

I speak as one of the old ones who is in great danger if they strike.

This is emotional blackmail as most strikes are and is totally reprehensible and barbaric

If I die from cold etc then I shall haunt them all!

end of the road · 23-11-2013 06:03PM

Rosier wrote: »

Is there not a law here as there is in the Uk that a person's power cannot be disconnected in winter

don't believe so and rightly so, if this law in the uk is true then its stupid, why should someone who is for example deliberately not paying their bill not have their power disconnected just because its winter?

Rosier wrote: »

This is emotional blackmail as most strikes are and is totally reprehensible and barbaric

thats how it has to be, no strikes are emotional blackmail, and as for barbaric, if you want barbarity go to some of the middle eastern countries, they will show you barbarity, we all must suffer in solidarity with our boys and girls if needs be

awec · 23-11-2013 06:05PM

end of the road wrote: »

don't believe so and rightly so, if this law in the uk is true then its stupid, why should someone who is for example deliberately not paying their bill not have their power disconnected just because its winter?

thats how it has to be, no strikes are emotional blackmail, and as for barbaric, if you want barbarity go to some of the middle eastern countries, they will show you barbarity, we all must suffer in solidarity with our boys and girls if needs be

These strikes are blackmail, that's what a strike is.

Blackmail from a group of morally bankrupt sheep.

There'll be no solidarity from me. Hopefully all of those who take a few days off are gradually replaced over the next couple of years.

Skylinehead · 23-11-2013 06:06PM

end of the road wrote: »

we all must suffer in solidarity with our boys and girls if needs be

Must some of us, as will possibly be the case for some elderly people if the electricity goes off for any length of time, die in solidarity with "our boys and girls"?

Frankie5Angels · 23-11-2013 06:11PM

end of the road wrote: »

don't believe so and rightly so, if this law in the uk is true then its stupid, why should someone who is for example deliberately not paying their bill not have their power disconnected just because its winter?

Actually, I think there is something in place for the elderly who run into payment difficulties, which is fair enough taking into account their age etc. However, this relates to disconnection rather than loss of supply or lack of power. That said, as I've said before, Ogle has stated that there'll be no action over the Christmas period. I would like to think common sense will / would prevail if there is a period of cold weather.

Frankie5Angels · 23-11-2013 06:16PM

awec wrote: »

Blackmail from a group of morally bankrupt sheep.

So standing up for yourself these days equates to a lack of morals? Sure it'll be drive by shootings next, father....

awec · 23-11-2013 06:20PM

Frankie5Angels wrote: »

So standing up for yourself these days equates to a lack of morals? Sure it'll be drive by shootings next, father....

Going on strike is a pretty low thing to do, especially when you work on something as important as the electricity supply.

That said, this is trade unionism we are talking about, so shady practices should not surprise anyone.

About time ESB workers were brought in to the real world. I am partly conflicted, because can you imagine how much they would be completely screwing themselves over if they do go on strike? Can you imagine what public opinion of these people would be should they force electrical supply problems?

Capt'n Midnight · 23-11-2013 06:21PM

Averi Mango Villain wrote: »

Many years ago they just stopped revenue collection, which had minimal affect on customers but stopped the cash coming in.

*Looks at bank account*

*crosses fingers*

hansfrei · 23-11-2013 06:22PM

Frankie5Angels wrote: »

So standing up for yourself these days equates to a lack of morals? Sure it'll be drive by shootings next, father....

Standing up for yourself?

Another lie. Trying to blackmail people onto paying your gambling debts is abhorrent.

Ace2007 · 23-11-2013 06:23PM

end of the road wrote: »

don't believe so and rightly so, if this law in the uk is true then its stupid, why should someone who is for example deliberately not paying their bill not have their power disconnected just because its winter?

OAP's in this country will not have their heating disconnected in the winter months if they inform their supplier. So your wrong there, like in other posts.

Frankie5Angels · 23-11-2013 06:25PM

awec wrote: »

About time ESB workers were brought in to the real world. I am partly conflicted, because can you imagine how much they would be completely screwing themselves over if they do go on strike? Can you imagine what public opinion of these people would be should they force electrical supply problems?

The real world? Their workers stand to lose their pensions, meaning they'll have SFA to fall back on later, many of them with no recourse to a state pension as private sector workers do. That's a pretty scary thought for anyone - is that real enough for you?

I've already stated my thoughts on the backlash from the public in this thread, I'm under no illusion that it will be fierce IF action is taken.

Frankie5Angels · 23-11-2013 06:30PM

hansfrei wrote: »

Standing up for yourself?

Another lie. Trying to blackmail people onto paying your gambling debts is abhorrent.

I have not lied at any point in this thread.

Yet again you're twisting what little you do know about this issue to benefit your 'argument'.

awec · 23-11-2013 06:30PM

Frankie5Angels wrote: »

The real world? Their workers stand to lose their pensions, meaning they'll have SFA to fall back on later, many of them with no recourse to a state pension as private sector workers do. That's a pretty scary thought for anyone - is that real enough for you?

I've already stated my thoughts on the backlash from the public in this thread, I'm under no illusion that it will be fierce IF action is taken.

Their unsustainable, head in the clouds pension funds. There is a shortfall, not surprising given the terms of the pensions and they are being switched onto a more realistic pension scheme.

The shortfall is over a billion euros. Not exactly a drop in the ocean.

hansfrei · 23-11-2013 06:37PM

Frankie5Angels wrote: »

I have not lied at any point in this thread.

Yet again you're twisting what little you do know about this issue to benefit your 'argument'.

Go on then. Whats the story with the shortfall. What do you expect is going to happen to it? Why are you going on strike because you lost your money on your pension?/

Ace2007 · 23-11-2013 06:41PM

Frankie5Angels wrote: »

The real world? Their workers stand to lose their pensions, meaning they'll have SFA to fall back on later, many of them with no recourse to a state pension as private sector workers do. That's a pretty scary thought for anyone - is that real enough for you?

I've already stated my thoughts on the backlash from the public in this thread, I'm under no illusion that it will be fierce IF action is taken.

What are you on about - where are they losing their pensions - they will receive less than they thought, there is a deficit in the pension scheme, just like there is a deficit in 95% of other DB Schemes, should every person in the country whose pension scheme is in deficit just go on strike???

But please tell me what you want ESB to do?

One option they can do is wind up the scheme - and this is happening nowadays to a lot of schemes.

end of the road · 23-11-2013 06:58PM

Frankie5Angels wrote: »

Actually, I think there is something in place for the elderly who run into payment difficulties, which is fair enough taking into account their age etc. However, this relates to disconnection rather than loss of supply or lack of power. That said, as I've said before, Ogle has stated that there'll be no action over the Christmas period. I would like to think common sense will / would prevail if there is a period of cold weather.

i meant those who deliberately didn't pay, as in, "i can't afford it so i'm not going to bother" very few i'd except but those were who i was referring to

end of the road · 23-11-2013 07:02PM

awec wrote: »

Going on strike is a pretty low thing to do, especially when you work on something as important as the electricity supply.

That said, this is trade unionism we are talking about, so shady practices should not surprise anyone.

About time ESB workers were brought in to the real world. I am partly conflicted, because can you imagine how much they would be completely screwing themselves over if they do go on strike? Can you imagine what public opinion of these people would be should they force electrical supply problems?

public opinion? who cares about the opinions of the "its a discrase joe" brigade who voted yes to jobs that the dogs on the street knew would never come? or who whinj and whine that someone else is getting a better wage then them but wouldn't apply for the better waged job because it was beneeth them?

P_1 · 23-11-2013 07:09PM

end of the road wrote: »

public opinion? who cares about the opinions of the "its a discrase joe" brigade who voted yes to jobs that the dogs on the street knew would never come? or who whinj and whine that someone else is getting a better wage then them but wouldn't apply for the better waged job because it was beneeth them?

The issue with the pensions has sweet fcuk all to do with the general public so why take it out on them

23-11-2013 08:04PM

Boombastic wrote: »

the public sector workers are easily spotted in this thread..

Your hate entertains me

Frankie5Angels · 23-11-2013 08:21PM

Ace2007 wrote: »

What are you on about - where are they losing their pensions - they will receive less than they thought, there is a deficit in the pension scheme, just like there is a deficit in 95% of other DB Schemes, should every person in the country whose pension scheme is in deficit just go on strike???

But please tell me what you want ESB to do?

One option they can do is wind up the scheme - and this is happening nowadays to a lot of schemes.

They already receive less than they thought already due to the 2010 agreement. Yes, there is a deficit. As I read it, the whole premise of the action(s) being taken is in relation to who is liable for the deficit - the company or the members. If the scheme is wound up, as you suggest, that's where many stand to lose their pensions.

As to whether every other person on DB schemes should go on strike: it is their right to do so, as it is the ESB employees' right in this case.

FixdePitchmark · 23-11-2013 08:29PM

Mad extremes on both side of the debate here.

No matter how right the ESB unions and staff think they are and maybe are by the sounds of it- the Irish public is so different to what they were like since the 80s.

It was not unusual - for public support and even solidarity amongst different unions. But, after 20 years of solid work , the state have greatly removed the power within Unions - particularly in the ESB.

Any mad action by the ESB unions will result in further action by government to get rid of the unions within ESB. It could even be like the Air Traffic Controller sacking in US.

If the ESB lads pull the plug - excuse the pun . It will be the end of them as a union and the end of the ESB as a good state job. They are almost at a stage were they have got rid of the ESB as a generation entity. So I'd say management and the government will see this as a perfect opportunity to kill them off.

Cienciano · 23-11-2013 08:29PM

awec wrote: »

Going on strike is a pretty low thing to do, especially when you work on something as important as the electricity supply.

That said, this is trade unionism we are talking about, so shady practices should not surprise anyone.

About time ESB workers were brought in to the real world. I am partly conflicted, because can you imagine how much they would be completely screwing themselves over if they do go on strike? Can you imagine what public opinion of these people would be should they force electrical supply problems?

Have a read through this thread, or any other esb thread. Public are no fans of ESB well before this strike was ever talked about. So I reckon the average worker or union don't really care about public opinion.

Ace2007 · 23-11-2013 08:30PM

Frankie5Angels wrote: »

They already receive less than they thought already due to the 2010 agreement. Yes, there is a deficit. As I read it, the whole premise of the action(s) being taken is in relation to who is liable for the deficit - the company or the members. If the scheme is wound up, as you suggest, that's where many stand to lose their pensions.

As to whether every other person on DB schemes should go on strike: it is their right to do so, as it is the ESB employees' right in this case.

Just being curious who is going to pay this legal action?
If they lose, and costs are giving to ESB, are all employees going to chip in and help them?

ESB vote to strike over gold plated pensions as winter arrives

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