Threat to 300 jobs as An Post looks to move HQ out of GPO

AN Post is looking to move its headquarters out of the GPO as part of a major transition that could see hundreds of jobs being lost.

The company is inviting 1,200 of its staff and managers to take voluntary severance from its corporate and support services next month.

Most of these workers are based in the GPO.

It is estimated that 200 to 300 people will be made redundant.

This is part of a major shakeup from An Post, which is also considering leaving its headquarters in the GPO.

According to chief executive David McRedmond, its offices in the historic building are “dilapidated” and “no longer fit for purpose”.

“It is 34 years since the last refurbishment and this time lapse far exceeds the accepted norm of 15-20 years for an office refurbishment,” he said.

“Initial estimates to refurbish the building are extremely high requiring a budget of tens of millions of euro and will take a long time to complete, especially as much of the building is listed.

“We have made no decisions yet and will consult with staff, unions and Government (the owner of the GPO).

“We are proud to call the GPO home but our commitment is to modernise our business for all our customers and our frontline staff.”

First opened in 1818, and extensively refurbished just before the Easter Rising, the GPO was all but destroyed during Easter Week with just the portico, pillars and part of the façade remaining.

In the 1920s, the GPO was rebuilt with a slightly different interior layout and reopened in 1929.

Commenting on the loss of jobs, Mr McRedmond said it was the latest step in the company’s plan to modernise its business.

“The voluntary leaver programme is the latest step in An Post’s plan to modernise every aspect of the business as An Post transitions from the old mails world to the new world of e-commerce and digital services.”

This news comes after the Irish Independent revealed that the west of the country looks set to lose dozens of post offices.

An Post said the 161 postmasters’ offices, from among a network of 1,111, were now “likely” to close as the postmasters there were seeking redundancy.

A leaked document showed how rural areas in the west are particularly exposed in comparison to eastern areas.

Negotiations with postmasters are ongoing, with a final announcement expected later this month.