An Post and eir Pension Protest: A Tale of Delayed Justice
The Communications Workers' Union (CWU) is gearing up for a protest outside Leinster House, highlighting a critical issue affecting 20,000 retired workers. The union is demanding the immediate approval of pension increases, which have been agreed upon by all relevant parties, yet the government's delay has sparked outrage.
The CWU emphasizes that these pensioners, relying on fixed incomes, face deepening hardship due to the lack of respect shown by the government's delay. The union argues that there's no financial justification for the holdup, as the pension schemes are well-regulated, financially sound, and cost-neutral to the state.
An Post's request for a 6% pension increase, effective January 2025, and a 1% increase from June 2025, was submitted to the Department of Communications in October 2025. Despite the approval from Minister Charlie McConalogue, the Public Expenditure Minister's sign-off is still pending.
Similarly, eir pensioners sought a 2.1% increase, effective July 2025, with the Department of Communications receiving the request last year. The department is actively reviewing this proposal, citing the need for robust governance procedures.
The CWU's Seán McDonagh stresses the urgency, emphasizing the financial stability of the pension schemes and the hardship endured by pensioners. The union's protest aims to shed light on this issue, urging the government to act swiftly and address the delay, ensuring the well-being of these retirees.
