April 20, 2018:
The Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) has today welcomed the announcement of a new plan for the Post Office Network.
Following intensive negotiations with An Post, the IPU Executive has agreed a deal and believes that it represents the best possible plan to sustain as large a Network as possible into the future.
The plan will enable the Post Office Network to continue to comprehensively service rural and urban communities throughout the country.
For many years there have been enormous challenges faced by the Post Office Network resulting from changes in consumer behaviour, particularly the growth in online transactions.
The deal was agreed between the IPU and An Post following three months of negotiation, mediated independently by Senior Counsel Turlough O’Donnell.
IPU General Secretary Ned O’Hara said that the IPU Executive was unanimously in support of the new plan which it will present to its members before carrying out a ballot over the coming weeks.
IPU President Paddy McCann said: “We believe that this is the best possible negotiated solution for the future of the Post Office Network. It ensures viability of as large a Network as possible, ensures that the public will continue to get an excellent and expanded service and provides viability and clarity for Postmasters.”
The IPU urged An Post and Government to deliver quickly on the commitment to new government and financial services in all Post Offices to secure growth in transactions.
Further Information
Ronan Cavanagh, Cavanagh Communications: (086) 317 9731.