An Post favours union talks on SDS closure
Yesterday, invitations were sent out to unions asking for negotiations on An Post’s decision to seek 270 voluntary redundancies.
An ICTU delegation met with Minister for Communications Dermot Ahern yesterday and there were said to have been robust exchanges.
However, since the company announced its intention to close the SDS division no formal talks have taken place between both sides.
A spokesman for An Post said last night they were anxious to enter into formal talks with the unions.
An Post’s parcel division was said to have been suffering from poor sales activity, poor credit control and an unwillingness to implement change, according to a report commissioned by a management-union group within the company.
Chief executive Donal Curtin said SDS had become a drain on the company, and one which had lost €20 million over the past two years.
The report commented on the level of absenteeism at SDS and also highlighted the need for an international partner, preferably DHL.
ICTU’s Peter Bunting has warned 700 jobs could go as a result of the closure and called on Mr Ahern to intervene.
