Breakthrough possible in Post dispute
A breakthrough in the postal dispute over cost-cutting measures could finally be reached this evening, it has emerged.
Both sides in the row, which is crippling postal services, have agreed to contact the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) later this afternoon when they will outline their positions.
An Post and the Communication Workers’ Union are considering proposals drawn up by the LRC.
The document focuses on getting both sides to negotiate together, face-to-face.
Separate talks aimed at resolving the dispute were adjourned after 12 hours at 3am with no agreement reached.
Kieran Mulvey, chief executive of the LRC, said he had been in contact with the company and union chiefs this morning.
“They are due to come back to us this afternoon,” he said. “We have absolutely no idea what their positions will be at that stage but the Commission will act with the information we are given.
“It is impossible to predict what may happen but we have to remain hopeful that we’ll have something to go on this evening.”
The dispute began 12 days ago when An Post began suspending staff at the Dublin Mail Centre for failing to carry out certain duties.
More than 550 staff remain off the payroll and the country’s postal service has been dramatically affected.
All post boxes in Co Dublin have been sealed while customers in parts of counties Wicklow, Monaghan, Louth and Galway have been asked not to send any mail.
Some 60% of post goes through the DMC and as the dispute drags on, fears are growing that services throughout the country will be involved.
An initial round of separate talks collapsed last week and both sides were warned they would have to shift their positions if the row was to be resolved.
The row centres on a new sorting system which union members claim was imposed without their agreement.
But company chiefs say they have no choice but to implement deals which have already been bought and paid for and which form part of an agreement on cost-cutting and pay reform.
