Some 1,200 ESB network technicians have stopped work in a dispute over the use of outside contractors to upgrade and modernise the company's distribution network. It is the first major strike at the State-owned electricity company since 1991.
The company warned yesterday there could be delays to repair work and new connections but, speaking to ireland.comthis morning, a spokesman said that crews had been successfully dispatched to ten faults around the country and that there was no "immediate effect" on the public.
ATGWU members have placed pickets on ESB depots throughout the State. "We are aware of pickets on a lot of our depots," a company spokesman said.
The ESB says the use of contractors is in line with a comprehensive agreement drawn up with unions in 2001, known as the Pact.
The union claims the terms of the Pact are being breached and, in any event, that agreement has expired.
The strike was confirmed yesterday after ATGWU said it had been excluded from a meeting due to take place yesterday with management and therefore they had no option but to proceed with the strike.
Both the TEEU and Siptu, which between them represent a further 1,000 ESB network technicians, have instructed members to work normally today. Both unions, however, said their members should not carry out work normally done by ATGWU members.
Without referring directly to the dispute, the Taoiseach said last night that divisions between unions could damage the "cause of solidarity" among workers.
Earlier Mr Ahern said: "There's no need for industrial action at all in this case. They should try and take a step back and ease the situation.
"It is entirely unnecessary, unhelpful to the workers themselves, to the organisation they work for and to the general public," he said.