Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) struck a deal with An Post and government officials to increase the payment of pensioners by 6 per cent backdating January 1st, 2025, plus a 1 per cent increase starting from early June. The increase will affect over 7,000 An Post pensioners who, over the past few years, saw their pensions lose value due to inflation. The increase was approved by the Minister of Public Expenditure and the Minister of Environment, Climate and Communications.
An Post pensioners protested for the endorsements of government officials over the matching of pensioner pay earlier this year and in previous years which came to bear fruit this September.
This movement has been a long-standing claim of the union that had its main mission to equalise the gap between pensioner pay and active pay, which grew apart over the past three years. Earlier this year, the union made it clear that their primary goal was to “achieve 100% pensionable pay restoration … secure the same increases for retired colleagues”. Not only was the pensionable pay improved, but the union also ensured that pensioners from early retirement and ill health were graced with enhanced benefits.
Nonetheless, CWU was critical of the time it took and the lack of effort from government officials to approve the measure. In a circular, the union stated that “the company made every effort to secure Ministerial approval. However, it is clear there was no reciprocal response from the Department or general political establishment”.
On another note, the yearly cap increase of 2 per cent on pension pays has been maintained. The union suggested that the cap is crucial for the health of the An Post Superannuation Scheme and that it would be detrimental for them and the company to push for more. In light of the present economic uncertainty, the Secretary General of the Union stated that Trump’s tariffs are a great deal of concern to them given their possible impact on their negotiations and prospects.
The current measure has been parallel to other increases in state pensions that enhanced the maximum weekly pay of state pension by €12 to take effect by January 2025. Both measures are policies integrated as attempts to mitigate the increasing living costs in Ireland and to support pensioners, a vulnerable group that can struggle to make ends meet in the current scenario.
