Posten to hire over 200 new van drivers

We want to set a new standard in the van segment. By switching to more of our own employed van drivers, we gain better control over the entire value chain and a faster transition to emission-free vans. The drivers receive a collective wage and career opportunities. This is a solution we have arrived at after good dialogue with the Trade Union over a long period of time, says CEO Tone Wille in Posten.

Driver positions announced

In the first instance, 200 new van drivers will be hired for the group’s car operating company, who will in future also carry out transport tasks, including for home delivery and courier services.

Job advertisements are already out for the Oslo area and will continue to appear in other parts of the country. Commercial drivers and sole proprietorships that have had assignments for Bring are especially encouraged to apply for the available driver positions. The group will still use some external carriers, but many agreements will be terminated as capacity for own vehicle operation is built up.

The authorities must take action

The van industry has grown strongly in a short time, driven by increased online shopping and home delivery – especially during the pandemic. Earlier this year Posten and the trade union asked the government to regulate working conditions in the unregulated van industry in Norway, as is the case in Sweden and Denmark.

“We note that this takes a long time. Therefore, we are now choosing to implement changes in our own operations. It is nevertheless very important that the authorities speed up the regulatory work so that there are equal conditions of competition and predictability for everyone,” emphasises CEO Wille.

Tightens control operations

Although Posten will hire more of its own van drivers, the group will also in the future use external carriers to have access to extra capacity and to handle seasonal fluctuations and volume peaks – often with short deadlines. These will be predefined suppliers who satisfy the group’s requirements and ethical guidelines. Many external carriers have had long-term and good cooperation with Posten and Bring, and this will be sought to be continued.

The group’s work to strengthen follow-up and control of suppliers will continue. It must ensure compliance with requirements and expectations both when it comes to working conditions, pay and ethical standards.

Facts

• In recent years, there has been strong growth in home deliveries of parcels. Especially in the big cities, many new players have entered an unregulated van industry and unfortunately also attracted unscrupulous players. This has increased the risk of workplace crime and strengthened the need to follow up and control suppliers.
• Posten uses considerable resources on its own measures to strengthen the follow-up and control of suppliers, i.a. The group has a cooperation agreement with the Swedish Tax Agency. The authorities also have a responsibility to contribute to orderly conditions in the industry.
• On 13 June, Posten and the Trade Union sent a joint letter to the Minister for Employment and Inclusion and the Minister for Transport with input for an action plan against social dumping in the van industry. In the letter, we asked the government to set stricter requirements and regulate working conditions in the van industry in order to improve working conditions and avoid unscrupulous actors.
• New van drivers in Posten and Bring will be employed in the car operating company Posten Bring Bildrift AS (formerly Bring Transport solutions AS). The company that supplies car operation of heavier vehicles is now expanding with van drivers for both home delivery (HD) and the delivery business. The company has a collective agreement with the Trade Union.