An Post braced for strike action

An Post put emergency plans in place tonight in preparation for expected strike action.

The postal company said the Communications Workers Union (CWU) had refused to give any details of the type, location or duration of the industrial action being planned for the coming days.

The company said the trade union had refused all demands for casual staff to be hired in the capital.

“It is completely unacceptable that the CWU should attempt to hold the company and state to ransom by refusing to engage meaningfully and honestly on the subject of change, choosing instead this destructive, outdated and utterly inappropriate route of industrial action and service disruption,” the company said tonight.

With the strike notice due to expire tomorrow, concern has been deepening over the effect of a possible postal strike on businesses and the public in the run-up to Christmas.

“The CWU refusal to provide any information on the nature and timing of the action makes it extremely difficult for An Post to advise customers or to put in place arrangements to minimise the impact of that action,” a statement from An Post said.

“There is a strong possibility that all mail – including Swift Post and EMS services – may be subject to delay from Friday onwards, when the period of strike notice concludes.”

The CWU has accused An Post of failing to pay cost of living increases to workers and pensioners under the Sustaining Progress national agreement.

The Labour Court has already recommended that three other unions at An Post who represent managers should get backdated pay increases due under Sustaining Progress for agreeing to work changes.

The company said it was putting in place all possible contingencies available to the company to minimise the level of disruption to customers, to ensure, where possible the payment of pensions and other social welfare benefits.

“The company continues to work closely with the Department of Social and Family Affairs on alternative arrangements for the distribution of social welfare payments normally delivered through the mail,” it said.

An Post said it would keep business and private customers fully informed of all developments over the next few days.

The company said a number of Irish charities had expressed serious concerns at the impact of any disruption to postal services during a critical fundraising period.