Up to 90% of bpost workers have been on strike today completely disrupting mail delivery inBelgium to protest against the company’s strategic plan to restructure its logistics activities and
against low wages for unskilled workers.Bpost announced that the 24-hour union strike in the sorting centres today will negativelyaffect both inbound and outbound mail. “We will do everything possible to keep this impact to aminimum and apologise for the inconveniences.”
As a result of the strike, bpost’s five sorting centres in Belgium remained closed last night,the company’s spokesman Piet Van Speybroeck reported. The mail boxes thus remained empty on Friday.“No mail has been sent to the sorting and distribution centres. Even if some postmen don’t takepart in the strike action, they will not be able to distribute mail, or only very little.”
André Blaise, the general secretary of the Belgian trade union CSC Poste, commented: “With 90%of workers striking, the movement has been a total success. As a result, no mail will bedistributed today and major disruptions are still expected for tomorrow (Saturday) in delivery ofnewspapers.”
In an attempt to avert today’s strike, bpost’s CEO Johnny Thijs called on the postal unions atthe beginning of this week to negotiate the wages of unskilled workers. bpost said it was willingto adjust its initial proposals on this issue.
Over the last few weeks, worries have increased regarding the wages of unskilled labour andflexibility conditions. “Our employees question their current and future earnings as well theconsequences of flexibility on their working conditions,” Thijs said.
“In terms of flexibility, financial remunerations have been a matter of speculations. We willsolve these misunderstandings by providing accurate information to all employees concerned andreassuring them about it. As far as unskilled workers are concerned, our initial proposals aresubject to adjustment, without jeopardising the guidelines of the strategic plan, however,” heexplained.
Thijs reiterated that the guidelines and options defined in the new strategic plan approved bythe Board of Directors are very important for the company’s future. “During the informationmeetings on this subject, I noticed that our employees are well aware that further changes arenecessary. They perceive the decline in mail volumes due to the internet and increased competitionand also the possibilities emerging from technological developments to continue the gradualadjustments of our organisation.”
Therefore, Thijs urged the unions to resume the negotiations quickly and thus find a compromiseon the remuneration of unskilled workers. “I am firmly convinced that the principles of thestrategic plan are fair and correct and a perfect balance can be found between the economic needsof the company and the staff expectations.”
Despite the willingness of bpost to reopen the wage negotiations, the unions remained determinedto go on strike as planned.
The Christian union CGSP added: “We want nothing more than returning to the negotiating tableand so much the better if the post has realised that it gives a miserable salary to this categoryof workers.”
bpost’s strategic plan for the 2011-2015 period aims to focus on maintaining the company’sfinancial results and ensuring growth despite a drop in mail volumes.
