Talks aimed at averting industrial action by rural postal workers next Monday broke down last night with no plans for further negotiations.
If the action goes ahead postal deliveries could be delayed from next week.
Representatives of An Post and the Irish Postmasters' Union (IPU) yesterday failed to reach a resolution of the dispute after nearly nine hours of talks chaired by arbitrator Mr Phil Flynn in Malahide, Co Dublin.
Last night, general secretary of the IPU Mr John Kane said that there was no progress made in the talks and there were no plans for further meetings.
"But we are hoping against hope that between now and Sunday that there might be further moves," Mr Kane said.
He said the dispute was centred on the question of responsibilities as the 600 IPU postmasters and postmistresses were subcontractors.
They were also looking for increases in pay. It was true that An Post had increased their rates sizeably over the past few years but despite all the rises, members were still paid very badly, he said.
Allowances for early-morning work were insufficient and staff were not being paid for carrying out other functions, Mr Kane said.
Last night, a spokesman for An Post said as contractors the IPU members were paid on a transaction basis and in 2000 they opted to be paid on a broad basis. They had received pay increases of 37 per cent in 1997, six per cent in September 2000, 12 per cent in January 2001 and next October they would be receiving a 15 per cent increase backdated to September 2000. They had also been paid all phases of the PPS.
"We feel we have dealt with their pay issues very well," the spokesman said.
If the action goes ahead, from next Monday, postmasters and postmistresses will not be opening their premises until 8 a.m, two hours after the normal time. They will also not be accepting delivery of mail from central locations until after 8 a.m.
The IPU said the late opening at the start of the day would delay deliveries to customers.