The State's 1,800 postmasters are to ballot on industrial action over the next 10 days and are also planning a march to the Dβil on October 3rd. Their aim is to maximise pressure on TDs, and especially Government backbenchers, to have An Post's Postpoint system withdrawn.
There is little doubt about the outcome of the ballot, which concludes on October 5th. Strike notice is likely to be served for October 12th. Last month a group of postmasters took unofficial action by blocking Portlaise sorting office briefly.
Besides demanding the withdrawal of Postpoint, which allows An Post to franchise out services to ordinary retailers, the Irish Postmasters' Union is seeking payment of a 12 per cent increase awarded toits members by next February.
Members of the IPU have begun meeting local community groups, as well as TDs, to maximise support for their campaign.
Yesterday, an IPU executive member, Mr Thomas Martin, said members would be trying to keep post offices open on the day of the protest, with the help of relief staff and neighbours.
During the next few days, he said, members "will be asking TDs to go to the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, and ask to her instruct An Post to withdraw Postpoint. If An Post is allowed to set up an alternative network, we are all gone. We can't compete."
He accused An Post and Ms O'Rourke of trying to "starve out" IPU members. An average of three members a week were resigning from the service because they could not survive commercially.
Even the 30 per cent of IPU members earning more than the average industrial wage were being hit by "spiralling wage costs and accommodation costs", according to Mr Martin. The refusal to pay the 12 per cent increase was "fuelling militancy".
Ms O'Rourke is expected to convene a new forum of the post office system within the next fortnight. The IPU and An Post will be invited to attend. A spokesman for the Minister added that extra share capital was being made available to An Post to fund the 12 per cent increase.
An Post says that it cannot pay without a Government subvention.