TD raises lack of pay rises for An Post workers

Dail Report: Ministers and TDs are getting pay rises denied to pensioners at An Post, the Labour spokesman on communications, Mr Tommy Broughan, claimed.

He said An Post's 11,000 employees and 8,000 pensioners had not received a penny of their increases due under Sustaining Progress, when he raised the issue with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Dempsey.

"They did not get the 3 per cent increase on November 1st, 2003, nor the 2 per cent rise on August 1st, 2004. Up to now, there is no indication that they will get the 2 per cent increase next December," said Mr Broughan.

"If not, they will be a cumulative 7 per cent behind the Minister and myself.

"Is it not outrageous that workers on very modest incomes are being treated in this manner by the management of An Post, and, perhaps worse, that pensioners, who have given up to 40 years of service and are former civil servants, are being treated in the same way?"

Mr Dempsey said he had great sympathy with the pensioners who were out of the system and were not involved in the current dispute, yet suffering as a result of it.

"With goodwill on all sides, that matter could be resolved quickly." The Minister added that he did not want to delve into the discussions currently taking place on the basis that certain elements which were supposed to be delivered were not.

"Sustaining Progress is about delivering change and about payments being made to workers on the basis of that change being delivered, as I know from my previous ministerial job," he added.

"I hope that both sides will live up to their commitments with regard to those agreements. The Labour Relations talks should finish shortly. If there were matters which must be referred to the Labour Court, I believe they will be taken there quickly." Mr Dempsey said the House would be aware of An Post's precarious financial situation.

"On top of losses in 2001, the company has lost approximately €60 million between 2002 and 2003 and has forecast further losses this year. Losses on this scale and of this duration are simply unsustainable." He said that it was neither in the interests of the company nor its employees or customers that the situation remain unchecked.

"If the company is to return to profitability, it needs to be restructured. If this is to be a success, it is crucial that all stakeholders play a constructive part in this process."

Mr Dempsey said that the current industrial relations issues in An Post had been simmering for some time. "The problems there are long-standing and deep-seated, and it is clear that the solution to the current issues must put the company in a long-term sustainable financial and operational footing."

He added it was important that a company such as An Post continued to be a strong player in the postal market and provide quality services to customers.

"The recovery strategy approved by the board of An Post sets out the basis on which the company, in partnership with the trade unions, can move forward."