TNT hits out at “irresponsible” unions

TNT Post branded two unions “irresponsible” as industrial action hampers mail deliveries in the Netherlands. Postal workers are striking after TNT failed to reach a deal over wages and job cuts.

TNT Post said that the unions – Abvakabo FNV, CNV Publieke Zaak, and BVPP – rejected the company’s “far reaching proposals”.

Industrial action is expected to end tomorrow (Friday).

However, BVPP stated that it would not undertake any further industrial action.

During discussions, TNT Post said it was prepared to extend the current collective agreement, which expires at the end of 2011, to the end of 2013.

The extended agreement would include a wage increase of 0.5% in 2012 and 1% in 2013.

At the same time, the original 3,100 compulsory redundancies would be brought down to 2,550 and another 300 employees would keep their jobs temporarily.

A TNT statement said: “The CNV Publieke Zaak and Abvakabo FNV unions were not prepared, however, to bring future collective agreements into the picture when looking for a solution. The BVPP union has stated that it is prepared to present the proposal to its members.”

TNT then presented a new proposal, offering to bring the number of compulsory redundancies down from 3,100 to 2,800 by creating jobs at the new “Auto Unit” and through TNT Post Parcel Service.

The company also offered to increase the involvement of assisted reemployment agency TNT Mobility so as to further minimise the number of employees needing to claim unemployment benefit, reducing this number to 500. Another 300 employees would keep their jobs temporarily. In addition, TNT Post proposed that, working together with external parties, it would help even more employees move on to a new job, the company said.

TNT said it was disappointed to find that the two unions had rejected all of these proposals.

A statement said: “This not only means that the uncertainty among our employees will be drawn out even longer, it also means that our customers are left in suspense during this most important December month, with all the ensuing consequences.

“TNT Post feels that the position taken by the Abvakabo and CNV Publieke Zaak unions is irresponsible and calls on them to seriously reconsider the proposals.”

Media reports in the Netherlands today (Thursday) stated that some mail had been delivered yesterday despite of the strikes.