Postmasters vote to reject new contract with An Post

POSTMASTERS yesterday voted to reject an An Post proposal on the future of the post office after claiming their contracts had been threatened by the company.

Speaking at a special national meeting in Athlone, Irish Postmasters’ Union general secretary Ned O’Hara called on Communications Minister Denis Naughten to financially recognise the social value of post offices and to support an investment plan in the network.

He said: ‘The proposed new contract is for each post office to operate on a standalone commercial basis and places no value on post offices’ social function. The post office network is under huge pressure as postmasters’ incomes are falling dramatically. The IPU’s aim is to keep as many offices as possible open, to introduce new services and to develop the network’s social function within communities.

‘We need to agree and introduce a mechanism of payment to postmasters for the core social services they provide.

‘Minister Naughten needs to address this issue. A much better plan is possible, and is required, if we are to keep post offices open in communities.’

The postmasters’ union will meet with Mr Naughten this week, and a spokesperson said they will demand Government intervention in the row as well as a financial investment in the troubled An Post network.

An IPU spokesman said: ‘The IPU is meeting with Minister for Communications Denis Naughten on Thursday coming – and will be demanding the minister to intervene and invest in the network.’