Christmas deliveries could be under threat with unions at An Post balloting members over festive arrangements, it was confirmed.
Both sides failed to reach agreement on overtime and pay arrangements for the Christmas workload. The Communications Workers' Union (CWU) said the staff were now voting in two separate ballots - one on industrial action and the other on the restructuring proposals within An Post.
"I'm not a betting man but I would say it would be a resounding positive in terms of industrial action," said national officer Mr Sean McDonagh. It is believed that An Post sought a similar Christmas agreement to last year's, which for the Dublin area included around 90 hours overtime and around €20 per hour payment.
However, Mr McDonagh said workers were angry and frustrated about the attitude of senior management in the company. "They have been very publicly berating our members over the high levels of overtime in the company.
Because of that, people are saying we should give them what they want, which is to have no overtime working either at Christmas or any other time."
He added: "We know that will effectively collapse the postal service. We don't particularly want to do that but given the company's behaviour and provocation, we would seem to be left with no other choice."
The results of the ballots are expected on November 24. Both will have to be ratified at the CWU national executive meeting on December 2nd.
Mr McDonagh said that with An Post's proposals to lay off 1,500 jobs over the next two years, morale within the company was at an all-time low.
"I've been dealing with An Post for 24 years now and I've never seen the situation as bad as it is now." Meanwhile, the Irish Postmasters' Union said it had arranged a meeting with Communications Minister Noel Dempsey to discuss the future of the post office network.
General Secretary, Mr John Kane said his union wanted a commitment to retain the maximum number of post offices.