Tag: Republic of Ireland

An Post, Ireland’s deeply troubled postal service, is heading for a surprise break-even profit figure for this year. As the nation is threatened by a postal strike at its peak Christmas period, the news is bound to strengthen management’s hands during critical negotiations with the unions. This weekend, workers are balloting on industrial action. Sources at An Post have told the Sunday Independent that the shock turnaround from last year’s losses of 43m is due to once-off savings, unlikely to be repeated in 2005 unless the unions agree to a productivity deal.

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) is to ballot An Post employees for industrial action as the row over pay and conditions continues. A double ballot will take place over the next two weeks, in a move which could lead to disruption of the postal service in the run-up to Christmas. An Post reacted angrily to the move last night, claiming it was disappointed and the ballots would only cause further delays. A spokesman also took serious issue with the “implied threat” to Christmas services. The CWU decided on the ballot following a meeting of its executive yesterday. One ballot is to ask members to consider a pay offer of 5.35 per cent over four years, which An Post made to collection and delivery staff in talks with the Labour Relations Commission last week. The second ballot is to seek a renewed mandate for industrial action, if it is deemed necessary to protect existing agreements.

The country’s 10,000 postal workers are to consider whether to accept a pay rise offer of 5.5% over four years. The proposal was made during talks with An Post management at the Labour Relations Commission. But the Communications Workers’ Union has said An Post’s plans for the future of collection and delivery services would have a devastating effect on the country’s postal system. National Officer Sean McDonagh has said they are also seeking a mandate for industrial action.

It sounds unbelievable but it’s true: Ireland’s system of collecting and delivering post has not changed in 250 years. While it has grown to cater for the population surge in Dublin in recent years, the fundamental structure of An Post’s operation has remained at a standstill. One thing which has not remained static is the company’s wage bill. It now stands at a staggering half a billion euro. And it’s rising. And that is the crux of the An Post problem. In a world where people send emails, use the internet and have developed new forms of communications, it has failed to change. And the symptoms of this malaise are clear.