Industrial action at An Post looks definite if the company does not reinstate by midday tomorrow 68 workers who were suspended from its parcel subsidiary, SDS, this week.
The Communications Workers' Union, which represents the staff, has issued a statement claiming it will give effect to what it terms its 'overwhelming mandate for industrial action to defend the members' interests'.
An emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of the CWU took place today. Afterwards the union called on the Minister for Communications, Noel Dempsey, to insist that An Post reinstates all workers suspended by management.
The CWU says any action it may take will impact on the broader postal service.
Meanwhile, An Post has warned customers that parcel deliveries cannot be guaranteed due to the escalating dispute.
SDS to close
SDS is due to close on Monday after it was decided to re-integrate the parcel delivery service into An Post.
270 staff will lose their jobs, while 180 are being redeployed within An Post.
Management has said the suspended staff refused to obey orders to transfer parcels from the current Naas Road offices in Dublin to the firm's future sorting centre in Portlaoise.
There are no plans for further talks between management and the CWU.
However, it is hoped that the Labour Relations Commission facilitator, Tom Pomphrett, will be able to make contact with the two sides to find a basis to break the deadlock.
A conciliation hearing chaired by Mr Pomphrett ended yesterday without breaking the deadlock.
