Strike action by 1,200 ESB technicians has been averted following talks with the company's management.

The ATGWU, which represents the staff, said it remained concerned over the issue of contractors working at ESB. But it is prepared to discuss the matter with the company early next week and is withdrawing its strike threat for the moment.

The union believes the increasing use of contractors at the company is putting other staff members at a disadvantage. It claims apprentices trained by the ESB have found difficulty getting employment with the company because their work is being done by contractors.

However, the campaign has found little support from other unions at ESB, including SIPTU and the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU).

The TEEU said yesterday: "The TEEU has no dispute with the ESB on apprenticeship matters and is concerned that the proposed action of the ATGWU would compromise the future of the remaining apprentices."

Talks on the contractor issue are due to start on Monday. A statement from the ATGWU said: "The issue of contractor use and their effect on the sustainable jobs, earnings and conditions of all of our members will be a fundamental issue for us at such negotiations."

The union was threatening to withdraw from essential maintenance and repair work, but there was no plan to directly picket power stations. However, a prolonged strike could have led to blackouts, as repairs are regularly needed to prevent transmission problems.

The ATGWU, which is led in the ESB by Brendan Ogle, said the issue of contractors needed to be addressed through a new deal with the company. "We have been offered a meeting where we have been told we can address scheduling for negotiations on Monday 19 September 2005," the union said a statement.

For its part SIPTU said: "At a meeting with ESB management, which took place today, attended by SIPTU and the TEEU, we received a guarantee from the company that it is abiding by the agreed procedures in relation to all outstanding issues, including apprentices. A number of these issues are currently being dealt with through the normal internal industrial relations structures."