An Post puts off closure of SDS

An Post has had to put off plans to close its loss making SDS parcels division next Monday.

The postponment comes as a result of its acceptance last night of a National Implementation Body plan to head off industrial action in the postal services.
The company has also lifted the suspension of 68 workers who had been refusing to co-operate with the run down of the operation.

The plan has also been accepted by the CWU union, and obliges it to accept a binding Labour Court investigation of the closure plan.

The plan was put to the parties yesterday as a noon deadline set by the CWU for the reinstatement of the workers passed. The union had threatened unspecified industrial action if the reinstatement dod not take place.

The NIB a loose employer-union group which polices national social partnership.

Its plan suggests that the Labour Court now consider the SDS closure within two weeks after it addresses the non-payment of the Sustaining Progress wage increases to An Post’s 10,000 employees and pensioners.

CWU secretary general Steve Fitzpatrick described the terms of the NIB plan as “both welcome and timely”.

An Post spokeswoman Anna McHugh said the company welcomed the opportunity to conclude, with a definitive date, talks at the Labour Court on the reintegration of SDS and affirm our willingness to abide by the binding nature of these talks.

“The company is continuing to work with the Labour Relations Commission on detailed arrangements for the resumption of work in SDS.”

Closure of SDS would result in 280 job cuts and 170 staff relocations.