Industrial Action by Postmasters must be averted, says Donegal TD

A TD, who represents south Donegal in Dail Éireann has said that any potential industrial action by Postmasters must be averted, as a matter of urgency. They are entitled to a "decent income" as well, she added.

An emergency meeting will be held by the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) tomorrow, Monday. They will consider whether they will ballot their members on industrial action.

If this occurs, the Irish postal system could descend into chaos, if such a ballot were to go ahead and succeed.

A number of rural post offices have closed in recent years on Donegal.

In some cases, the facilities have been offered in a local shop in the same area, under new franchise arrangements. 

Deputy Marian Harkin, who is also a former Member of the European parliament said that a tipping point had been reached:

“On Monday, postmasters are holding an emergency meeting to consider balloting on industrial action because they have reached a tipping point waiting for payments.”

She also raised the matter in the Dáil during the week, with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath.

She intimated the urgent need to expedite a number of payments to Postmasters which have already been agreed but which have not been paid to date.

She instanced a number of these payments which are outstanding including a promised “fit for purpose” payments system as agreed in the 2018 contract, as well as outstanding agreed payments for additional work on money laundering requirements and Western Union Transactions plus additional 2021 Christmas Payments.

According to Deputy Harkin there is more and more work required from Postmasters, but the payments are not forthcoming in a timely manner.

Deputy Harkin also questioned Minister McGrath about a long-awaited report from an Inter-Departmental Group set up one year ago to examine the feasibility of directing more Government business to the Post Office Network.

“This report is urgently needed to address the viability of the Post Office network and ensure decent incomes for Postmasters, when will this report be published?” she asked.

Minister McGrath said Minister Naughton will be bringing forward the Report very shortly and he was aware of the issues concerning the payments.

But Deputy Harkin emphasised the need for an urgent response.

“Postmasters cannot and will not continue to work for such poor incomes. Whenever there is a threat of a local Post Office closing all public representatives rally round.

"However, this will keep happening month after month in different parts of the country unless more Government business is directed to the Post Office Network and unless a decent income for those who operate the Post Office Network is part of the package,” she concluded.