TNT 'confident' ahead of crucial union meetings in September over job cuts plan

TNT NV is still confident of constructive talks with unions amid the threat of strikes, if union members reject an in-principle agreement over the Dutch postal company’s plans to cut up to 7,000 jobs ahead of pending market liberalization measures.

Trade unions CNV Publieke Zaak and FNV Abvakabo will consult with members in September about TNT’s restructuring plans and its proposals to limit the job cuts to 7,000 by combining them with changes to workplace conditions.

TNT reached an agreement with unions in June on a plan that will run until January 2011; it includes measures to minimise redundancies to about 7,000 instead of 11,000, including steps to assist workers in finding new jobs.

An external review of the reorganisation by Boston Consulting Group concluded TNT’s cost-cutting measures were necessary. Following the review, the unions said they would negotiate with TNT on programmes to aid employees in changing jobs.

But CNV official Inge Bakker said she fears CNV union members will reject TNT’s proposals, adding she expects FNV members to do the same.

This presents the possibility that postal workers will call for a 24 or 48-hour strike, the first strike at the Dutch postal company since 1983.

An FNV spokesman said he also expects problems in September and is demanding TNT adequately ensure redundant workers are educated, retrained and assisted into new jobs. He believes talks could continue until November or December.

CNV members yesterday rejected a separate collective labour agreement (CAO) on the mobility of workers in a dispute over a clause that states TNT can single workers out for future redundancy, if voluntary job cuts do not meet the company’s targets.

The FNV will consult its members about the CAO at the end of August, but the main focus in the coming period will be on what CNV and FNV members have to say in September about TNT’s restructuring programme.