Alex White says he wants to see movement within hours to end the strike at sorting contractor IO Systems.
36 workers have taken the action over roster arrangements – and mail services across the country remain suspended while it continues.
Minister Alex White says it's 'essential' the strike is brought to an early end.
He wants both sides to meet at the talks table.
Meanwhile, the Communication Workers Union says An Post's decision to shut down postal services is 'ludicrous' and unnecessary.
Sean McDonagh is the national officer for the Communication Workers Union.
He says An Post shut down services in a 'panic attack' – in an effort to force the workers to back down.
“40 percent of that business could be running this morning and we're calling on An Post management to reverse that decision – that's absolutely ludicrous what they're after deciding there” he said.
“And it seems to me that this seems to be a decision by An Post management that we must force through the changes that IO Systems want” he added.
IO Systems denies that.
Its managing director Fergal Lynam says it is up to the CWU members to end the dispute.
“Those machines are available to be used, and Sean (McDonagh) is dragging An Post into this argument” he said.
“An Post has no interest in shutting down the mail, IO Systems has no interest”.
“Those machines are available to be used today, now – if the CWU were to instruct their members to use those machines they could be used immediately” he added.
