NIB calls for sides to avert postal disruption

The Government mediator the National Implementation Body (NIB) today called on An Post to lift suspensions of 68 SDS workers and on workers to postpone their strike.

The NIB also requested the Labour Court to treat national pay rises as a priority when it brings the two sides together on February 11.

A spokesman added: “In light of the national importance of the postal services and the present threat of major disruption, the NIB calls on both parties to suspend industrial action and lift suspensions in order to allow progress to be made."

The Communications Worker Union has accused the company of seeking to implement the closure of its SDS business without reaching agreement on the matter with staff representatives.

It had given An Post until noon today to reinstate the suspended workers, but the company ignored the threat and an escalating programme of industrial action is now expected to get underway from tomorrow.