An Post crisis Time for cool heads to prevail

THE whole country will breathe a sigh of relief amid growing hopes a nationwide postal strike will be averted through last-ditch negotiations opening today.

By accepting the timely invitation of the Labour Relations Commission to attend these talks, both unions and management have shown a welcome sense of maturity in a difficult situation. From Dublin to Meath, Monaghan, Louth and Wicklow, this unnecessary row over how mail is processed at the main centre, is disrupting deliveries, severely discommoding individuals, business interests and industry.

With more than 500 staff off the payroll, the situation had become explosive. Thankfully, both sides in An Post have gone some way towards assuaging public fears of the dispute spreading across the country.