The week that was: 13 November 2009
The wait is over – your weekly news round-up is here! After the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Royal Mail management thrashed out an interim deal, leading to a period of acquiesce (Ed- my favourite word), Post&Parcel was slightly worried that a weekly news round-up may be published that didn’t feature industrial action in some sort of capacity. Then the French came to the rescue…
Workers of La Poste could strike on 24 November after unions hit out at proposed government reform plans. Postal deliveries in France could be hit by disruption as five unions plan a one-day strike, in protest at a new law that would turn the post office into a company with shareholders. The government argues that La Poste’s status needs modernising, as it would allow extra sources of funding.
Staying on topic – it has been reported in the media that different unions around the world are ordering DHL to stop “putting the squeeze on its workers” (Cargo News Asia). A campaign for employees of DHL has been organised by UNI Global Union and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). It is alleged, according to the unions, that in “dozens of cases in over 20 countries, DHL has sacked, harassed and intimidated workers for union activities.” Cargo News Asia quotes UNI general secretary Philip Jennings as saying: “We are asking DHL to stick to its own key words: respect and results.”
Third quarter results from Post Danmark saw an operating profit after tax of DKK 235m in the first nine months of the year compared with DKK 726m in the same period last year – a drop of about 67%. Heavy volume declines mainly for letters and parcels were cited as key reasons. The total after-tax profit for the period amounted to DKK 1,709m compared with DKK 666m in the same period last year. This profit increase was due exclusively to the sale of Post Danmark’s ownership interest in the Belgian De Post – La Poste.
There was better news for FedEx this week as they predicted an 8% rise in holiday-season volumes compared to 2008 levels – further proof that the economy is recovering. The company expects to move more than 50m packages through its global networks during the week of 14 December – its busiest week of the year.
And finally…
In the absence of anything comical, and with nobody leaving themselves open to ridicule this week, all that’s left is to wish you an enjoyable weekend.
(Sigh)
