Tag: UK

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.

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.