Local ESB staff on picket lines accusing company of 'back door privatization'

Striking ESB staff are accusing the company of trying to introduce privatization of the service 'through the back door'.

That's according to one worker, as members of the Independent Workers' Union have been highlighting concerns about work being outsourced to the private sector.

Pickets have been staged at ESB yards around the country since this morning, with close to 500 workers involved, including dozens locally.

The 24-hour stoppage, which involves mostly technicians, has been condemned by the ESB as 'unlawful' while more stoppages are being planned by IWU members next week.

Brian Baitson is on the picket line, he says he's sorry for any customer disruption but the issue needs to be raised: