TNT has filed a complaint with the European Commission about the introduction of a EUR 9.80 minimumwage for all postal carriers in Germany. In addition, TNT representatives held talks with a
delegation from the international umbrella union UNI (Union Network International) about theconditions of employment this week.According to TNT, the German government’s decision to declare the minimum wage generallybinding violates the European treaty on competition and freedom of establishment. Under the coverof social reasons, it aims to raise the costs of Deutsche Post’s rivals, hinder competition, andshield the historic monopolist from the impact of market liberalisation and the realisation of asingle European postal market, TNT said in a statement.
“Some member states are taking protectionist measures to circumvent the Postal Directive.European customers deserve more than a cosmetic liberalisation,” said Peter Bakker, CEO of TNT. “Byfiling our complaint, we join in the European Commission’s efforts to ensure fair competition.”
On 7 March 2008, the Berlin Administrative Court in first instance ruled that the GermanState had failed to consider the economic impact on competitors when introducing the €9.80 minimumwage. The German government is appealing against this ruling, and the minimum wage remains in forcein the meantime.
Meanwhile, TNT said it has held discussions with UNI, the International Transport Workers’Federation (ITF) and Dutch unions Abva/Kabo and FNV Bondgenoten about the conditions of employmentfor postal sector employees especially in Germany and the Netherlands but also in the variouscountries where TNT operates.
“We have had constructive talks”, said Herna Verhagen, TNT’s Managing Director Group HR. “TNThas always been in favour of a fair and realistic minimum wage. The minimum wage, however, must notbe misused to hinder competition or protect one of the market players”, she added.
UNI said in a statement that the delegation asked that TNT respect the German minimum wageand that it would agree not to carry out social dumping. The union delegation also insisted thatTNT should not support any “bogus” unions and deal with real independent unions and to have furtherdiscussions with UNI and the ITF on developing a proper global social dialogue and meeting basiclabour standards and workers rights while paying socially acceptable wages.
