Tag: Republic of Ireland

A plan to subcontract out the delivery of mail in rural areas is among a set of radical proposals being discussed by management and unions at An Post. Under the proposals, self- employed postmen would be responsible for making deliveries using their own vans and they would not be on the An Post payroll.
The concept would not apply to major urban centres which are less costly to service. An Post is anxious to implement major change at the company’s “collection and delivery” operation. An Post faces an operating loss of EUR30 million for this year. Its chief executive, Mr Donal Curtin, has spoken about the company being on a financial “knife edge”.

An Post staff could be in line for a 5 per cent pay increase in exchange for agreeing to major restructuring at the loss-making company. Talks at the Labour Relations Commission are understood to have reached an advanced stage, with An Post management proposing a 5.35 per cent pay increase to unions. The increase, however, would be spread over three years. The largest union at An Post, the Communication Worker’s Union, remains unhappy with the proposal. Its executive is expected to meet shortly to discuss the offer. An Post management declined to comment yesterday and said talks were still ongoing.