Addressing the union’s biennial conference in Athlone, CWU General Secretary Seán McDonagh said that the financial impacts of Covid-19 had placed a huge burden on An Post.“With at least €100 million needed to cover the Covid-related losses of the last two years, the financial sustainability of the company will be difficult without commitment from its Government shareholder,” Mr McDonagh said.

“Government needs to step forward to protect and maintain the valued and necessary public services provided by An Post,” he added.

More than 300 delegates are attending the CWU conference addressing motions across multiple companies represented by the union, including An Post, eir, Vodafone and UPS.

The CWU is expressing concerns over plans by eir to sell its fibre access network, describing it as the backbone of Ireland’s communications infrastructure.

The union has voiced its support for the National Broadband Plan but said that as contracts are awarded by National Broadband Ireland, the pay and conditions of the workers building the networks must be protected.

The CWU also said it would support the efforts of workers at tech giants such as Amazon, Facebook and Google who want to organise and join a union to represent their interests.