asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the plans he has to provide employment for the many telephonists in North Cork who are employed by his Department and by the local postmasters and who will be affected by the area going automatic in 1982; and if he will give details of the discussions he has had with the relevant unions.
Written Answers. - Cork Telephonists' Employment.
704.
Day telephonists whose exchanges are converted to automatic working will have the option of transferring to another Departmental exchange or resigning. Staff who opt to resign will be paid compensation; transferred staff will be paid a resettlement allowance.
Night staff are recruited locally for specific exchanges and are mainly part-time. It may be possible to offer a small number of them employment in a Departmental exchange. Other night staff will be paid compensation.
These arrangements are in accordance with agreements recently reached between my Department and the staff organisations concerned.
Staff at sub-office exchanges other than those which are Departmentally staffed, are employed by the local postmasters and the provision to be made for these will be a matter for the postmasters concerned.