asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the great inconvenience to residents and business personnel in the Blackrock postal district, County Dublin, due to the repeated cessation of postal facilities there; and the action he proposes to take to resolve the matter.
Written Answers. - Blackrock (Dublin) Postal Dispute.
329.
I am very much aware of, and very much regret the inconvenience to people in the Blackrock postal district resulting from unofficial industrial action by postmen there.
This is the third occasion in two years on which postmen in Blackrock have taken unofficial action. In April and in September, 1976, strikes followed refusals by postmen there to accept the same output rates on the delivery of telephone directories as postmen elsewhere in the Dublin area. On this occasion there has been a refusal to accept certain changes in delivery routes. The changes which affect only ten of a total of 49 routes provide for housing development in the district by utilising spare time on some existing routes and, at the staff's request, give a five-day week to some parcel delivery drivers. Revisions of this kind are a normal feature of postal operations.
The revised delivery arrangements were discussed fully with the union representing postmen both at branch and headquarters level and their introduction was deferred on five occasions since August 1977 at the union's request. Although my Department are satisfied that the revised arrangements are reasonable and in accordance with standing practice the union representatives were assured that any difficulties which might arise in their operation would be examined immediately in consultation with the union. The unofficial strike action taken by the postmen is, of course, in breach of the procedures agreed between their union and the Department for the resolution of problems.
My Department have been in continuous contact with the union representing postmen in an effort to bring about a resumption of normal work at Blackrock. The postmen have not been prepared so far to return to work although they have, I understand, been advised by their union to do so. I hope, however, that they will return to work quickly and pursue through the agreed machinery any difficulties they may have.