The Irish Postmasters Union, which represents 1,500 workers around the Republic, announced today it is to escalate its industrial action over pay and conditions.
Around 600 members of the union have been engaged in a work-to-rule action since the end of August. The workers, contracted by An Post to run largely rural post offices, have refused to open their doors oraccept postal deliveries from central locations before 8.00 a.m., two hours after the normal time.
The results of a ballot of members, taken over the past ten days, were counted this morning and showed 85 per cent in favour of stepping up action. The IPU is seeking €42 an hour for sorting duties and for post offices opening before 8 a.m.
They will now refuse to work in sorting centres attached to post offices every Friday and Monday, beginning on Friday, November 8th.
The secretary-general of the IPU, MrJohn Kane, told ireland.comthat the decision to escalate the work-to-rule was taken because their action so far has been circumvented by An Post. "They have spent a huge amount of money on overtime for otherpostal staff,"he claimed.
When asked of the anticipated impact on postal services that the increased action is likely to have, Mr Kane said it would be "dramatic", particularly in the run up to Christmas.
"It all depends, however, on how much money An Post are prepared to spend on outside staff to alleviate the pressure."
An Post said its services have beendisrupted in "a very limited way" by the industrial action.
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