No sign of Irish postal dispute end as talks deadlocked

THERE was still no sign of a breakthrough in the postal dispute last night as the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) maintained informal contact with both sides in an effort to broker a resolution.Although behind-the- scenes efforts to find some middle ground will recommence today, neither An Post’s management nor the Communications Workers Union (CWU) indicated any willingness to compromise yesterday.

Separate talks between both sides and the LRC last week broke down with LRC chief executive Kieran Mulvey saying there was not enough middle ground even to get both sides into structured talks.

A spokesman for the company last night said that there was no reason to believe anything would change An Post’s position until workers agreed to new work practices.

And the CWU said it was not expecting any movement until An <> began reinstating suspended workers. Both sides have now been locked in a bitter dispute over work practice changes for more than a week leaving postal services in Dublin and other affected areas at a standstill.

In addition to domestic areas, international mail has also been severely affected as most outgoing and incoming foreign <> is filtered through Dublin.

More than 500 workers at the Dublin mail centre in Clondalkin remain suspended, while another 90 part-time staff have also been taken off the payroll as there are no letters in the system to keep them employed.

As businesses and charities continue to warn of dire consequences, including possible job losses, if postal services are not restored quickly, pressure is also mounting on Communications Minister Dermot Ahern to intervene.

Mr Ahern’s spokesman was unavailable for comment last night but the issue is expected to be raised in the Dáil tomorrow during leader’s questions.

Mr Ahern and the Government have been criticised by the opposition and other An <> unions for remaining largely silent as the postal dispute worsens.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Mr Ahern have in turn called for both sides to agree to LRC talks.

However, the Government, as An Post’s main shareholder, has not acted to calm the situation.

Crucially, an Employee Share-Ownership Plan (ESOP) which was promised to An <> workers in return for improved productivity several years ago has never been implemented by the Government.

Although legislation to pave the way for the ESOP was published it was shelved and never actually debated.