The Communications Workers Union (CWU) has called off its industrial action at An Post following an emergency meeting of its disputes committee this afternoon.
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| Members of the CWU outside the GPO in Dublin this morning. Photograph: Aoife Carr |
However, An Post warned that there may still be mail delays over the coming days, but said this evening that normal posting may resume.
A CWU spokesman told ireland.comthe union had accepted the recommendations of the National Implementation Body (NIB) and that staff would return to work this evening.
Industrial action by 8,500 postal workers got under way at midnight after days of lengthy talks between the company, the union and the NIB in Dublin.
The CWU declared on Friday evening that it would strike but was strongly criticised by An Post for making such an announcement before the talks had concluded.
Today's emergency meeting of the CWU was called following a breakthrough in the talks at Government Buildings with the NIB, which met the parties yesterday for the fifth day in succession.
It proposed that action be deferred while an independent assessment is carried out of cost factors in dispute between the two sides. Both parties accepted the proposal.
Independent accountants will now be asked to assess the costs of the union's demands and report back to the NIB by next Monday. Social welfare payments were made from the GPO today as normal, in spite of the strike there.
An Post said this evening that normal posting may resume. Swiftpost, EMS, registered mail and Passport Express services will also resume.
But it said there may be some delays to letter and postal deliveries because of the "unnecessary, irresponsible and damaging" industrial action, the CWU's failure to avert the action yesterday and the "lateness of their announcement of a final decision to cease the disruption this evening".
"The company is pleased that the National Implementation Body can now move ahead with an independent clarification of amendments sought by the union to Labour Court recommendations for changes in working arrangements in An Post's collection and delivery operation," the company said in a statement.
The industrial action was taken over the company's refusal to pay the full terms of Sustaining Progress to 8,500 CWU members.
An Post wanted to tie the pay increases under the national agreement to changes in work practices, but the union rejected this during the summer. Workers who are members of other unions at An Post are to be paid the Sustaining Progress rises after the Labour Court issued three separate recommendations last week.
The Department of Social Welfare confirmed that benefit payments have not been disrupted by the stoppage. All cheques which were due to be posted have been collected and delivered as normal, a spokesman said.
Additional reporting: PA