Tag: Republic of Ireland

Aer Lingus postal service ‘under review’

Posted by | Aug 29, 2004 | |

Aer Lingus may axe its postal service and courier business as part of its low-fares strategy’s faster turnaround, The Sunday Business Post has learned.

A spokeswoman for the airline said the postal and courier service was “currently under review”. Such a move would have serious implications for An Post’s international deliveries, although the postal service has received no notification by Aer Lingus of a review of the service.

Sources at An Post said they would expect a lengthy notification period before any changes were made, in order to make alternative arrangements for its mail service. John Whelan, the chief executive of the Irish Exporters Association, said the decision would hit mail order businesses in particular.

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Irish companies send post through Singapore to slash bills

Posted by | Aug 29, 2004 | |

Irish businesses are sending post from Singapore to Ireland in order to avail of international rates that are 75 per cent cheaper than domestic postal charges, The Sunday Business Post has learned. Post can be sent from Singapore to Ireland for the equivalent of 12 cent – a saving of 36 cent on each letter – due to a trade deal between national governments and the Universal Postal Union. Firms e-mail material to Singapore, where it is printed, packaged and posted as bulk mail to Ireland. An Post claims the practice is illegal under the Postage Evasion Act 1934. A spokesman said that the semi-state planned to prosecute companies which sent post from another jurisdiction. An Post is already prosecuting several companies, including First Active bank, for sending post from Britain by Royal Mail. The prosecutions are taking place under the terms of the 1934 Act, which is largely untested by the courts. It is understood that some Irish companies are printing mail in London, but franking letters with a Singapore stamp, under an arrangement between an Extra Territorial Office of Exchange and the Universal Postal Union.

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An Post resumes talks with union on cost-cutting drive

Posted by | Aug 24, 2004 | |

Talks to iron out difficulties between management at An Post and workers represented by the Communications Workers’ Union have resumed at the Labour Relations Court.

An Post is seeking almost 1,800 jobs cuts among its 10,000 workforce and major changes in work practices to save 25m a year.

The firm posted operating losses of 47m for 2003 and current year losses are set to exceed 40m after implementation of non-pay cost-cutting measures. Talks at the LRC were due to finish in May but failed to reach a conclusion, and the two sides have been on a break since the end of July.

A spokesman for An Post said some progress had been made, while stumbling blocks are being put on hold for a decision by the Labour Court towards the end of the negotiations.

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Department casts doubt on further Irish postal hike

Posted by | Aug 24, 2004 | |

The postal market may not be able to cope with further price increases from An Post, according to a senior official at the Department of Communications.

In a letter written in January, Brendan Tuohy, secretary-general of the Department of Communications, said that, following recent price hikes, the ability of the market to bear another increase was in doubt.
An Post is seeking to increase stamp prices in an attempt to stem massive losses.

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A short-sighted move by Irish An Post

Posted by | Aug 24, 2004 | |

An Post is facing huge financial losses at a time when customers are unhappy about the levels and cost of services and its workforce is disturbed by new work practices and proposals to reduce the number of employees.

At the same time, vital restructuring plans are tied up in deliberations at the Labour Relations Commission. And the Government, as sole shareholder, is behaving as if these matters were outside the scope of its responsibilities.

There seems little doubt the company’s new chief executive, Mr Donal Curtin, is anxious the semi-State company should return to profitable trading. Last month, An Post announced the closure of its parcels service, SDS, with the loss of 270 jobs. That decision will see SDS reintegrated into the main An Post group and the National Implementation Body has recommended that the company provide trade unions with details of the financial rationale involved.

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