In 2004, the Labour Court recommended a 10.5% productivity allowance for the grades associated with the An Post referral and a 30% reduction in relevant grades as part of restructuring. The Association Of Higher Civil & Public Servants and An Post agreed to be bound by the recommendation, dated 7 October 2004.
The association sought financial information, selection safeguards, changes to staffing proposals and a pay increase. An Post said urgent changes were needed to address serious financial difficulties. The Court remained of the view that staffing reductions and restructuring at Level III were warranted, and recommended that initial competitions for those posts be confined to relevant association grades before widening if there were not enough suitable candidates.
The Court also recommended protections for unassigned staff, leave and pension terms, and a flexibility clause. Existing non-contributing pension members appointed to Level III posts should not be required to contribute. Staff already receiving a productivity allowance should retain it when appointed to covered posts.