Postal staff agree deal on handling euro packs

The Irish Postmasters Union has reached a settlement with An Post in its dispute over demands for extra money for handling euro transactions.

Staff at most of the State's sub-post offices had refused to sell the new euro coin starter packs which became available on Friday.

The IPU instructed its members not to handle the packs when agreement could not be reached on compensation for extra work involved in switching currencies. The union has members in about 1,650 of the State's 1,800 post-office facilities.

However, the IPU's general secretary, Mr John Kane, said union members would now receive specific payments for dealing with the starter packs, household accounts, meter post and post office savings accounts.

He welcomed the settlement and thanked sub-post office customers for their "forbearance and understanding" during the dispute. He said IPU members, who are paid on a fee-per-item basis, would receive 25p (32c) for each transaction involving handling the new starter packs; 60p for household accounts; £1 for meter post and 60p for post office savings accounts. Staff were "happy enough" with the terms of the settlement.

An Post's head of communications, Mr John Foley, said he welcomed the end of industrial action by the IPU. "Euro coin starter packs should be available where stocks last in all offices," he said.