Postal strike averted as both sides agree to new proposals

A postal strike that could have severely disrupted mail deliveries from this morning has been averted following the intervention of the National Implementation Body.

The Communications Workers Union was planning strike action in protest at An Post's decision to suspend 68 workers for refusing to co-operate with the winding down of the SDS parcel delivery service.

The union accused the company of implementing the closure before it had reached agreement with workers on how to integrate SDS into An Post's regular business.

Last night, the National Implementation Body set up under the social partnership process put forward proposals that were accepted by both sides.

The planned SDS closure will now be postponed until February 11, when the Labour Court will issue a ruling on the matter.

An Post has also agreed to lift the suspension of the 68 workers and the CWU has agreed to cancel its planned industrial action.