TNT Express workers in Italy will go on one-day strikes tomorrow (June 28) and next Tuesday(July 2) to protest over plans for some 850 job cuts at the company, disrupting operations
significantly.The Dutch group announced a major restructuring in Italy earlier this month that will reduce the3,000-strong workforce to some 2,150 and see the closure of 20 smaller depots out of the 100branches across the country in a bid to reduce operating costs amid the severe economic crisis inthe country. The job reductions will include an unknown number of compulsory redundancies.
But the Italian transport unions FILT CGIL, FILT CISL and Uiltrasporti are trying to stop thejob cuts and are demanding an ‘industrial plan’ to safeguard jobs. They have called two separateall-out one-day stoppages at all branches across Italy on June 28 and July 2 to step up pressure onthe company. They have already called on Italian ministers to intervene in the dispute.
TNT Express spokesman Cyrille Gibot told CEP-Research: “We currently anticipate significantoperational impact on final mile pick-up and delivery. We will do our best to minimise the impacton our customers and we will provide them with regular updates, including specific instructions forHealthcare customers.”
The company has started talks with the unions and plans to spread the reorganisation overseveral months. TNT aims to “minimise” the number of compulsory redundancies but says they “cannotbe avoided given the scope of the necessary reorganisation”. Gibot added: “We are committed tofinding a workable solution. We cannot discuss the content of the talks publicly.”
He stressed that the planned changes are meant to increase the efficiency of the Italianoperations in the context of a severe economic recession. “We’re planning to combine our smallerItalian depots into larger ones located at strategic locations throughout the country, whilemaintaining nationwide coverage and connectivity with the international network. The reorganisationwill come with investments in automation, depot sorting and IT. The planned changes will also seethe consolidation of customer service and support activities.”
TNT Express Italy, with net sales of €605 million in 2012, is one of the express market leaders,operating domestic and international air and road express services within, to and from Italy. Ithas a network of some 100 locations, including hubs, depots and service centres.
