A looming protest is set to highlight the frustration of thousands of retired An Post and eir workers facing delays in crucial pension increases!
Next Tuesday, the Communications Workers' Union (CWU) is planning a demonstration outside Leinster House, aiming to draw attention to the prolonged wait for pension adjustments affecting approximately 20,000 former employees. The union is voicing strong criticism against what they perceive as an unnecessary delay by the Minister for Communications, Patrick O’Donovan, in giving the green light to these agreed-upon increases.
The CWU emphasizes that these pension hikes have already received the blessing of unions, trustees, actuaries, and the respective company boards. Their concern is that the government's delayed approval signals a "shocking disregard" and exacerbates the financial strain on older individuals who depend on fixed incomes.
Here's the crucial part: these pensioners do not benefit from annual State pension adjustments. Therefore, the CWU argues, these specific, agreed-upon increases are absolutely vital for them to cover their basic living expenses. As CWU General Secretary Seán McDonagh stated, "There is no financial justification whatsoever for this delay." He further clarified that the pension schemes are privately managed, well-regulated, and financially sound, meaning there is no cost to the Exchequer.
But here's where it gets a bit more detailed: Back in October 2025, An Post formally requested the Department of Communications' consent for a 6% pension increase effective from January 1, 2025, followed by an additional 1% from June 1, 2025. The Department, in response, acknowledged that while a precise timeline for the decision by the shareholding Ministers couldn't be provided at that moment, they were actively working to finalize the approval process.
Meanwhile, for eir (formerly Telecom Éireann) pensioners, a request for a 2.1% pension increase, effective from July 1, 2025, was received by the Department last year. Officials sought input from the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA), which is currently reviewing this proposal. The Department maintains that the time taken for these approvals is essential to ensure robust governance procedures are in place.
And this is the part most people miss: While the Department stresses the need for thorough governance, the CWU sees this as a deliberate stalling tactic that directly impacts the financial well-being of vulnerable pensioners. Is the government's caution in approving these increases a necessary safeguard, or is it a sign of indifference to the plight of retired workers? What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you believe the government's process is too slow, or is it justified by the need for rigorous oversight?
