Sub-post office owners are to begin balloting tomorrow (12/05) on industrial action that could cause widespread disruption to services.
The action is threatened by the Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) and arises from a row with An Post over bank holiday working and other issues.
Read MoreAn Post’s proposal for rural roadside post boxes has suffered another blow after a pilot survey found that voluntary acceptance of the scheme would not “justify the investment”.
The company will now return to communications regulator ComReg, who rejected compulsory placement of the boxes, with a view to trying to change its decision on the matter. A total of 12,000 homes were surveyed and asked whether they were would be prepared to have a roadside box. However there were just 5,000 responses, with marginally over half saying that they would be prepared to accept the new system.
Read MoreAn Post is to sell its loss-making parcel and light freight delivery subsidiary, SDS, as the semi-state company struggles to return to profitability by 2006.
Company chief executive Donal Curtin has given the board three options for SDS, including its disposal. Last week, An Post reported an operating loss of EUR43 million last year. SDS is believed to have accounted for around EUR40 million of the losses.
Read MoreThe Irish Postmaster’s Union says it fears the future of the Post Office network is being undermined by An Post and the State.
It says the State is refusing to recognise the social dimension of the Post Office Service and claims the pattern of Post Offices passing from one generation to another is ceasing.
Read MoreAn Post will shortly apply for a 14.5 per cent rise in the price of a stamp in an attempt to cut crippling losses at the company.
Chief executive Mr Donal Curtin said the company would submit the application to regulator ComReg in early summer. He said a rise from 48 to 55 cents was ‘realistic’. He was speaking as the company announced an operating loss of EUR43 million for 2003.
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