Postal services are set to be disrupted from Monday in spite of continuing attempts to broker a resolution in the dispute between An Post and the Communications Workers' Union (CWU).
The two sides met the National Implementation Body (NIB) last night for "exploratory talks" for the second time this week, but there was no indication that a formula could be found to avert industrial action.
The union is to specify what action its 8,500 members will take, following a meeting this morning of its disputes committee. However, CWU national officer Seán McDonagh said steps would be taken to ensure the dispute did not affect social welfare payments.
He confirmed industrial action would not begin until Monday, although strike notice served expires today.
The threatened strike is over the company's refusal to pay the full increases due to CWU members under the partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress.
The Labour Court recommended in July that the increases be paid provided postal staff agreed to a range of work practice changes in the company's collection and delivery service.
This was accepted by An Post but rejected by the union, which says the pay increases and work practice changes are separate issues and should not be linked.
The NIB, which comprises representatives of the Government, employers and unions, intervened in the dispute at the request of Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey.
The indications last night, however, were that both sides were hardening and there was little scope available for the NIB to engineer a resolution.
In a statement, An Post criticised the CWU for refusing to date to provide any information on the nature or timing of any industrial action. This was making it "extremely difficult" to advise customers or put in place arrangements to minimise the impact of that action.
There was a strong possibility all mail could be subject to delay from today, the statement said.
