Postmasters across Ireland have voted to accept a new deal aimed at 'growing and modernising' the post office network.
The executive of the Irish Postmasters' Union (IPU) has confirmed that no more local post offices will go through a compulsory closure.
Earlier this month,
An Post came to an agreement with the IPU, following a three-month mediation, which saw massive changes being implemented with regards to the long-term future of the Post Office network.
An emphasis was being placed on better opening hours and better-located post offices, among other things.
Prior to Friday May 11, this agreement was set to go ahead pending approval from membership.
As of Friday morning,
80% of members voted to support the plan and 20% voted against.
In a statement released on Friday afternoon, the IPU said that it will "now work ahead with An Post to deliver implementation of the plan – and importantly to ensure the roll out of promised new Government and financial services as quickly as possible".
An Post revealed its plans for post offices last month, describing it as a 'new vision'.
The big news being derived from the statement is that no further no compulsory closures will go ahead.
The IPU also said it would be putting a €50 million investment into the network, stating that it represented the "best possible plan to sustain as large a network as possible into the future".
Included in this network is An Post Retail, a key element to the modernising strategy which has officially been established as a dedicated business unit within An Post.
The main objectives set that An Post Retail are planning to introduce are as follows:
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- Find locations for new post offices where they're most convenient for customers and operate them with longer opening hours. More post offices will be collocated with grocery, retail and convenience stores.
- Refurbish their structures to introduce larger post offices in every major town.
- Introduce new formats with an emphasis on e-commerce & parcels.
- Make more services 24/7 and online.
- Introduce automated transaction capabilities in post offices.
According to An Post, the services available at post offices are set to vastly increase as they claim they wish to become a 'one stop shop' for local and central government services.
They also said they would wish to safeguard the network, stating: "In rural Ireland An Post will seek to ensure that all settlements with over 500 people will have a Post Office – 20 new post offices being opened nationally.
"In rural areas 95% of the population will be within 15km of at least one Post Office."
