Week of discussions planned at An Post

Unions and bosses at An Post are to take part in a week of intensive discussions over the closure of the loss-making Special Delivery Service, it has emerged today.

Workers objected to the company’s plans to reintegrate the subsidiary service into the main postal works by the end of January and months of negotiations have failed to settle the problem.

The decision for fresh talks, headed by independent negotiator Peter Cassells, were seen as a positive move but they will not affect the one-day postal workers’ strike planned for next Wednesday.

The Communications Workers’ Union said it was taking the industrial action in a bid to save around 270 jobs set to go during the reintegration of SDS.

The strike is set to hit thousands as it affects social welfare payments and pensions.

An Post said the announcement of the one-day stoppage was “extremely disappointing”.