FIVE hundred clerical workers at An Post have served seven days' strike notice in the continuing dispute over the recruitment of external secretarial staff. Already 200 members of the Civil and Public Service Union (CPSU) have been suspended as the union's work to rule continues.
A spokesman for the CPSU said the all out strike would affect the savings bonds and certificates section, bill processing and possibly social welfare payments.
He said he was not optimistic that a solution could be found. Management would have to see that they could not recruit without consultation with the union, the spokesman warned. However, a spokesman for the company said they were confident that they could maintain services. The effect of the work to rule had been slight, he said.
"We cannot afford to lose customers, and whatever it takes to maintain services to our customers, we will do it."
He said it was unfair to imply that social welfare payments might be affected. "We will do everything possible to see that they are not."
Asked if there was any possibility of talks next week, he said: "Our door is always open, and has been since this dispute started, if they want to start negotiating."