The Government's partnership watchdog, the National Implementation Body is to consider submissions from both sides in the dispute at An Post in an effort to avert industrial action at the company.
Management and unions met separately with the NIB this evening and are expected to have further discussions tomorrow.
With strike notice due to expire on Friday, there is increasing concern about the effect of industrial action on small businesses which depend on the postal service.
An Post management and the Communications Workers' Union agreed to meet NIB officials following an intervention by the Minister for Communications, Noel Dempsey.
The minister says archaic work practices in An Post must be reformed but that workers will be compensated.
Meanwhile, the Labour Court has recommended that three other unions at An Post who represent managers should get backdated pay increases due under Sustaining Progress for agreeing to work changes.
A CWU spokesman yesterday rejected An Post figures which claimed that the average wage for a Dublin postman is €45,000 a year with some earning up to €70,000 because of overtime arrangements.
