300 An Post staff suspended as Irish mail dispute grows

An escalating mail dispute in Dublin looks set to bring the Irish Republic’s entire postal service to its knees as the number of staff suspended topped 300.

A further 32 workers and nine van drivers were sent home as the row over changes in work practices at Dublin’s mail centre worsened.

They join more than 260 suspended for failing to carry out certain duties.

Mail company An Post took out advertisements in national newspapers warning customers in Co Dublin not to send any mail until further notice.

It also cautioned that it could not guarantee a normal operation in the Irish Republic as the crisis prompted warnings of a national postal strike.

Dublin Chamber of Commerce has warned that the dispute could force small businesses in the capital to close.

Union members claim the row centres on a new sorting system due to have been introduced this week, which was imposed without their agreement.

An Post senior manager Owen Morgan admitted more suspensions looked likely.

“We have no choice but to implement deals which have been brought and paid for,” he said.

“The Communication Workers Union is trying to create a situation at the moment which has maximum effect on the postal service and minimum effect on their members.”

The union has rejected the claims which they say come after planned industrial action was called off in a bid to facilitate talks with management.

Postal union chiefs were due to meet today to discuss how to react to management’s handling of the dispute, which began on Friday.

Other areas set to be badly hit by mail disruptions include parts of counties Wicklow, Monaghan, Louth and Galway.