AN POST is likely to advise customers not to post mail today if talks, which were continuing at the Labour Relations Commission late last night, fail to resolve a dispute at the Dublin Mail Centre.
Postal deliveries continue in all areas although the movement of post through the system has because of delays in letter processing.
There were about a half million items of mail trapped in the system yesterday because of the dispute and the company said it will try to deal with the backlog by diverting mail to other sorting centres. The Communications Workers' Union, which represents the 430 staff involved, says it may instruct members elsewhere to "black" diverted mail.
There are now 24 employees suspended by the company, and their situation provides the focus of the dispute.
There have been recurring problems at the centre since it was completed at a cost of £13 million two years ago.
In recent weeks, management has tried to impose a stricter work regime at the centre, while the union has become increasingly concerned at the lack of progress in tackling what it says are poor working conditions. The CWU says poor ventilation and inadequate toilet facilities, especially for the 130 women sorters, have been aggravated by work on a new extension.
Attempts to resolve 17 specific grievances last November broke down and both sides agreed to defer the issues to the Labour Relations Commission. However, An Post appointed a new supervisor to tighten the observance of work practices shortly before the LRC held its last conciliation conference on January 15th.
"The CWU is now claiming that this put the company in breach of existing agreements and created an oppressive" atmosphere in the centre. The union's general secretary, Mr David Begg, has described the company's action as "rather like throwing petrol on a fire".
CWU members then decided to work strictly to existing agreements. The company, in turn, accused the union of refusing to operate the status quo until the LRC issued its final report, which is due shortly. Meetings by sorters began on Tuesday and the suspension of staff began on Wednesday.
Both sides seem to be surprised at the speed with which the dispute has escalated.