Members of the Communication Workers’ Union at An Post have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action if the company breaches any existing agreements.
91% of members voted in favour giving An Post seven days' notice of its intent to take industrial action - up to and including all out strike.
However, the union has given no firm date for industrial action, so it is unclear if Christmas mail will be affected.
CWU National Officer Sean McDonagh said it now seemed that industrial action would be unavoidable if management breached any existing agreements, if it proceeded with closing down its parcel delivery subsidiary SDS, or if it implemented reforms in the collection and delivery service.
Mr McDonagh said the vote reflected the widespread anger and frustration felt by An Post staff in the face of what he called excessive productivity and change demands by the company.
He described the nine to one vote in favour as a massive endorsement of the union's position in seeking to protect existing agreements at An Post.
The company has declined to comment on this latest development.
