Up to 1200 members of staff at Irish postal operator An Post are to be offered access to a voluntary severance program. Most of those members of staff are based at the GPO, following a work redesign program that identified which roles might be eliminated.

The An Post voluntary severance program is the first for many years and it is estimated that some 200 to 300 staff my leave the organisation under recently agreed terms as recommended by the Labour Court.

David McRedmond An Post CEO said: “The voluntary leaver programme is the latest step in An Post’s plan to modernise every aspect of the business as An Post transitions from the old mails world to the new world of e-commerce and digital services. We have made great strides in the frontline delivery service, relaunched our parcels business and reached agreement on the transformation of the post office network. A reshaped HQ will be core to achieving the vision of An Post in the new world.”

As part of the company wide re-organisation there are plans to look for another site for its headquarters. The current building and campus was last refurbished in 1984 when An Post was created out of the old Posts & Telegraphs.

While the headquarters is moving out, in recognition of the historic and social significance of the GPO in Ireland, the postal operator will always maintain its main Post Office in the building.

David McRedmond commented:“The company is determined to provide office accommodation fit for the business and its employees. The GPO offices are dilapidated and in their current form are no longer fit for purpose as the modern Headquarter of one of Ireland’s leading companies. It is 34 years since the last refurbishment and this time lapse far exceeds the accepted norm of 15-20 years for an office refurbishment (and typical depreciation period of 10 years). Initial estimates to refurbish the building are extremely high requiring a budget of tens of millions of euros and will take a long time to complete, especially as much of the building is listed.” 

“The Board of An Post has agreed that I explore potential alternative locations in addition to the refurbishment option. We have made no decisions yet and will consult with staff, unions and Government (the owner of the GPO). We are proud to call the GPO home but our commitment is to modernise our business for all our customers and our frontline staff.”