Suspension of workers sparks new risk of postal disruption

Ireland's postal service could be facing renewed disruption following An Post's decision to suspend 68 workers at its SDS parcel delivery service.

The employees were suspended in the past 24 hours for refusing to co-operate with arrangements for winding up the SDS service.

The row erupted in advance of Labour Relations Commission talks aimed at finalising plans to integrate the parcel delivery service into An Post.

The Communications Workers Union has accused the company of circumventing those talks by seeking to implement the SDS closure in advance of a negotiated agreement.

It has demanded that all the suspended workers be returned to the payroll immediately and has warned of possible industrial action if An Post does not change its stance.