TALKS to avert a national postal strike start this morning at the Labour Relations Commission. There may already be delays throughout the State of post channelled through the Dublin Mail Centre because of an escalation in a dispute over supervisory procedures during the past weeks. So far, about 17 postal workers have been suspended.
About 450 members of the Communications Workers' Union (CWU) are in dispute with An Post over what they claim are unilateral changes in the supervisory system. Under the new system, extra supervisors have been appointed and closer checks are being kept on employees' work.
This issue, among others, have caused problems in what are being termed "development difficulties" at the Dublin Mail Centre. All the issues were referred to the commission and three meetings have been held since December.
The union claims management's decision to tighten supervisory procedures before the commission issues its report is a breach of existing agreements. Both sides have agreed to attend today's talks.
Last night, a company spokesman said the CWU was overreacting and only one extra supervisor was involved. If the dispute continued, mail deliveries would be kept on schedule, if necessary by diverting mail to other sorting offices, he added.
However, if today's talks fail, the union is likely to black diverted post. In this event, a national dispute seems likely.