Postmaster union accuses An Post of intimidation

The Irish Postmasters' Union has accused An Post of attempting to intimidate its members by ordering delivery staff to bypass rural sorting offices run by striking postmasters.

IPU members are involved in a series of rolling stoppages where they shut down 540 rural sorting offices every Monday and Friday in pursuit of improved pay and conditions.

Delivery staff, most of whom are members of the Communications Workers Union, were ordered to sort mail in their homes during the two days, but An Post has now ordered them to continue this practice on days when the postmasters are not on strike.

IPU general secretary John Kane said: "Our members are dismayed and disappointed that An Post has apparently - despite the fact that the sub-offices are all open for business - refused to allow the postmen to go back to them.

"That can only be for the purposes of intimidating our members."

An Post's latest move has led to protests by postmasters at some regional post offices today.

Ann Breslin, a protester in Ballina, Co Mayo, said: "Our work has been taken away from us today and we are protesting because of that.

"An Post has decided not to deal with our members so we are out in the cold effectively."