Postal Digest – News from Canada, Switzerland, Lithuania and Italy
Rounding up more of the latest news from the global postal industry, including a union deal for Swiss Post, liberalisation in Lithuania, and more partnerships for Poste Italiane.
Lithuania prepares to liberalise postal market
The Lithuanian government has introduced legislation to open the country’s postal market to full competition from 1st January 2013.
The law brings the country into line with EU postal regulations, allowing private sector competitors to deliver letters under 50g without having to charge at least 2.5 times the rate of Lithuania Post.
The ministry of communications said the new law would control postal rates for universal postal services provided by Lithuania Post, but bulk mail services will not be included within the definition of universal services, leaving Lithuania Post free to control its own rates for mailers sending more than 1,000 items per month or more than 250 parcels a month.
Swiss Post agrees labour deal for 2013
Swiss Post has agreed a 0.2% salary increase for all employees for the year 2013, after negotiations with its trade unions.
The postal operator said it had agreed with the unions Syndicom and Transfair for a collective contract covering about 34,000 employees. The deal includes a CHF 500 bonus for all employees based on the “positive results” of 2012, and Swiss Post will also increase its employer contributions to its pension fund by 1%. However, 0.8% of the total salary package will be related to performance.
The union deal remains subject to approval by the decision-making bodies at Swiss Post and union members.
Canada Post launches personalised greeting cards
The expanded Picture Postage app allows users to make Christmas Cards with their own photos
Canada Post has launched a new service allowing consumers to send personalised greeting cards through its website or its mobile app.
The company has expanded its Picture Postage application to include a variety of themed card designs with which to add a personal message before it is mailed. Users can even use their own photo for the cards.
Canada Post said one in five Canadians buy Christmas cards with the intention of sending them, but never get around to finishing the job. “Canada Post’s application allows users to save time by creating and shipping all their cards in one single session,” the company said.
Poste Italiane signs cooperation deals
Poste Italiane has signed partnership agreements with postal operators from Morocco, Lebanon, Malta and Vatican City.
The Italian postal operator agreed to help Poste Maroc develop an electronic money transfer service between Italy and Morocco, and will provide LibanPost with the platform through which to launch a prepaid credit card product. Poste Italiane will also work with the Poste Vatican and MaltaPost on international money transfer services.
The agreements signed at last month’s Postal Euromed conference in Monaco follow similar collaborative projects Poste Italiane is working on with posts in Egypt, Algeria, Slovenia, Croatia and Albania. The conference also saw Spain joining the Postal Euromed group, bringing the number of its Mediterranean-based members to 15 countries.
