Belgian postal dispute

bpost has informed Post&Parcel that it has been using temporary workers to help clear the back-log in mail and parcels at its sorting centres caused by the recent industrial action. The striking postal workers were objecting to the terms and conditions for weekend working at the sorting centres.

The strike began at noon last Thursday (22 October). In the north of Belgium, the industrial action ended on Friday, but it carried on through to Monday (26 October) in the south of the country.

A bpost spokesperson told Post&Parcel that the temporary workers were fully trained and experienced. The company issued a statement this morning saying that it had taken this measure because of the “exceptional circumstances” of the strike.

Representatives from bpost and the post workers’ union are scheduled to hold a meeting on Thursday (29 October) to continue their negotiations.