From the 1st of august 2002 The Company's position was that it could no longer afford this level of charge and informed the staff side. In 2006 this was to go to the Labour Court for decision but the company asked for talks and a year later the matter still had not been resolved.

Medical Refund.

Before August 2002, An Post Drug / Medical Refund scheme issued parralell to the maximum Department of Health Refunds. An Post changed this by lessoning the amount issued on the 1st August 2002.

Until the regulations were changed Postpersons were allowed a refund up to the limit over which the Department of Health gave a refund. The Department of Health limit was raised to 65euro with effect from the 1st August 2002 but the limit up to which An Post made refunds remained at 53euro 33cents.

 From the 1st of august 2002 The Company's position was that it could no longer afford this level of charge and informed the staff side. In 2006 this was to go to the Labour Court for decision but the company asked for talks and a year later the matter still had not been resolved.

Late in 2007 it was yet again to go to the Labour Court but again the Company asked for talks. On the 8th  November 2007 the company agreed to increase the refunds from 53 euro to 85 euro from the 1st December 2007.

The claim for  retrospection was also to be disscussed at a meeting before the end of 2007. As far as I am aware, this meeting has not taken place and nine months on we are no nearer to receiving the monies we are owed for the period 2002 to 2007.

By their actions in reinstating the full amount of the refund,  An Post seem to be in no doubt that the action taken in not adhering to the agreement was wrong.

In Departmental Report 1635 (Explanatory Memorandum for Staff) dated the 28th August 1983, it states "both companies will operate schemes on the same lines as the existing Department Medical Scheme the grades eligiable and the benefits provided remaining unchanged."

It is now five years on and it is time for An Post to face up to its responsibilities and pay us what we are due. We are continually told that we are the Company's greatest asset, heres an opportunity for An Post to demonstrate the high regard that they hold us in....... pay the arrears!  

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