The Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) has threatened industrial action at courier company DPD Ireland.
The CWU has tabled an emergency motion at its biennial conference in Galway to ballot workers at DPD for industrial action, up to and including strike.
The union has accused the company of refusing to engage with workers at its Clare depot regarding union recognition.
The CWU said it has had a long-standing relationship with DPD Ireland, which includes a collective agreement for night staff at its Athlone sorting hub and with its franchisee operating its Kerry Depot.
The CWU’s global union federation, UNI Global, has a European-wide union recognition and collective bargaining agreement with DPD’s parent company, Geopost.
The CWU said DPD has failed to engage in a meaningful way with workers at its depot in County Clare and has outsourced the facility to a franchisee.
“The recognition of basic workers’ rights should not be the cause of industrial relations disputes and should be taken off the table,” said CWU General Secretary Seán McDonagh.
“The CWU is calling on the new Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke to enshrine in law the rights of workers to organise and to collective bargaining,” Mr McDonagh said.
“We are calling on the Minister to do this when the Government transposes the EU Directive on Average Minimum Wages which must be done this year,’ he added.
DPD Ireland said its partnership with the CWU over the past 25 years has been instrumental in nurturing a collaborative and productive work environment.
“DPD Ireland consistently upholds all relevant laws to safeguard the well-being and statutory rights of our employees, including sick pay and the freedom of association and will continue to do so,” a spokesperson said.
“Operating under a franchise model, each of our depots functions as a distinct legal entity, ensuring efficient operations while adhering to legal and regulatory standards,” the company said.
“We have extended invitations to CWU for constructive discussions and remain committed to fostering a positive and mutually beneficial relationship,” it added.