A "free postage day" in the run-up to Christmas will be considered by union leaders today in their escalating row with An Post over the planned closure of its parcels division, SDS.
The idea is one of a number of proposals to be discussed by the Communications Workers' Union (CWU) at a meeting of its national executive in Dublin.
Others, however, including an all-out strike and an overtime ban, would cause severe disruption to postal services during the busiest period of the year.
The CWU says it will certainly be taking some kind of action before Christmas in spite of a warning by An Post that it may sue the union for damages.
Members of the union have balloted by more than nine-to-one in favour of industrial action in the event of the company breaching existing agreements.
The union says the closure of SDS, with the loss of 270 jobs, is such a breach, and it is, therefore, entitled to proceed with action up to and including a strike.
A spokesman said last night that branches from around the country had submitted a range of proposals for consideration at today's executive meeting. They included an all-out strike, strikes at both national and regional level and a ban on overtime.
The most novel, however, was a "free postage day". Letters and parcels posted on that day without stamps would be delivered. The idea is reminiscent of the "no fares day" organised in July last year by unions in CIÉ, which was regarded as a public relations success.
An Post claims the CWU has not processed its dispute over SDS through agreed procedures, and a strike would be a breach of the 1990 Industrial Relations Act.
Meanwhile, all Irish Ferries sailings between Ireland and Britain face cancellation today because of a strike by SIPTU members. The union served notice this week on the company of a 24-hour stoppage on all Irish Sea services from this morning.
The company has since advised customers of the stoppage, which affects sailings between Dublin and Holyhead and Rosslare and Pembroke.
The strike, in response to the company's decision to outsource employment on its Rosslare and France sailings next year, is expected to have limited impact given the time of year.
