The pledge follows the Electrical Trades Union yesterday suspending, for seven days, a ban on its AusNet members bringing power to freshly constructed homes.

The parties have been before the Fair Work Commission for the past two days and ETU state secretary Troy Gray said the week-long stay was a reflection of that process.

“As a show of good faith, the union has determined to lift our ban on connecting new properties for a period of seven days,” Mr Gray said.

“Should a customer require a new connection, or require an exemption to our industrial action if and when the bans return; they should contact AusNet.”

AusNet spokeswoman Helina Lilley said there was a backlog of 217 properties across North East Victoria awaiting connection.

“AusNet Services will dedicate its focus to supporting the customers who have been impacted by the ETU imposed bans by facilitating as many connections as possible over the next seven days,” she said.

However, Ms Lilley could not say how many properties were normally connected in an average week.

ETU spokesman Rory McCourt said how each property was configured could affect the work rate.

Both AusNet and the union said those with health and welfare needs would be given the highest priority.

That has left Robyn King and her family, who have given notice on their rented house in anticipation of shifting into their new Osbornes Flat home, wondering.

“After the Minister of Energy said emergency cases, emergency situations had priority I thought I am in that bracket since I have to be out on February 27,” she said.

“I’m hopeful but I’m still in a pickle, I’m getting a quote on storage on Monday.”

Ms Lilley advised those needing help over the issue to phone AusNet’s customer number 1300 360 795.

The likelihood of a resolution over the EBA still appears distant with the union wanting guarantees on job security, back pay and a ratio of apprentices to qualified workers. 

The member for Benambra Bill Tilley welcomed the suspension of the ban and said he hoped a permanent fix would occur in the seven days.