Postal workers were today being balloted over action that threatens to disrupt the country's Christmas mail service.
The Irish Postmasters' Union hopes to escalate action in December after talks with postal service An Post failed to resolve a three-month old pay dispute.
Sub-postmasters said the company's offer on issues including pay and overtime did not go far enough.
Christmas mail across the State could be paralysed if IPU's members vote to extend action to a national level from December 2th.
Mr John Kane, general secretary of the IPU, said An Post only met two out of seven crucial points outlined in Wednesday's key talks. He said yesterday he was confident the union's members would vote to escalate action in the run-up to Christmas.
Sub-postmasters were demanding the amount they receive for working before 8 a.m. increased from €2 to €12-13 an hour. An Post offered the workers €6 per hour.
Ballot forms which were sent out to members yesterday are expected to be returned to the union by next Wednesday.
PA