New proposals aim to resolve postal service dispute

New proposals have been put forward aimed at securing a resolution to the dispute which earlier this month led to the suspension of postal services.

The Communications Workers' Union (CWU), which represents staff at IO Systems, a contractor working for An Post that was at the centre of the row, is to recommend acceptance of the new proposals in a forthcoming ballot.

Staff at IO Systems, which has a contract to maintain automated sorting equipment for An Post, went on strike earlier this month as part of a dispute over revised rosters and a consequent loss in earnings.

The strike led to An Post suspending mail operations for a number of days.

The new proposals aimed at resolving the dispute were put forward by industrial relations mediator Phil Flynn.

The CWU said that Mr Flynn's recommendations "included proposals on revised shift patterns and pay levels including shift premiums as well as the referral of one outstanding item to the Labour Court for binding determination on the level of shift premium that should prevail from September 2016".

“It is also agreed that any matters of interpretation of Mr. Flynn’s recommendations will be referred by the parties back to Mr. Flynn for clarification.”