Striking ESB Network technicians extend pickets Updated / Tuesday, 4 May 2021 15:22 Industry and Employment Correspondent ESB Networks technicians belonging to the Independent Workers Union have extended their pickets to work locations which had not previously been picketed. The union claims to represent over 500 of the company's 1,500 network technicians. It said extending their pickets could increase the risk of disruption for customers, as workers from other unions who were previously free to work in those locations may refuse to pass pickets. The IWU network technicians commenced their latest two-day strike at 8am, which they say centres on the company's failure to consult adequately on the outsourcing of certain work.