La Poste hails union accords as “major step” in its social transformation

La Poste has signed agreements with four trade unions, pledging to transform the company for the benefit of all postal workers. The agreements with the CFDT, FO, CFTC and CGC-UNSA unions upgrade the French postal service’s social policy to set out a new “dynamic professional development” for staff.

The agreements included an accord on the professional skills development and training of postal workers, an accord offering extra pay for workers, and an agreement on the evolution of wage scales for La Poste staff.

Sylvie François, the La Poste deputy director-general, said: “The signing of these three agreements is a major step in the social transformation experienced by our company. The signing of these accords, a historic move for La Poste, demonstrates the commitment to build together a future for the postal worker.”

The union agreements follow a long period of introspection for La Poste Group after the deaths of workers who were said to be suffering from stress and depression related to workplace pressures.

Professional development

Under the first agreement with the unions, La Poste said it will set up a employment skills body comprising representatives of La Poste and the unions to look into the skills that will be needed for future postal workers.

The Group guaranteed to develop new career paths for employees, prioritising the mobility of staff within the company itself, as well as offering better support for relocation.

The company also pledged an “unprecedented” effort in staff training, promising to provide training for 80% of postal workers each year, and 100% of postal workers in two years, averaging 100 hours of training for each member of staff over five years.

La Poste said the agreement allows it to continue working to improve conditions within the company, expanding its hardship support with 3-5 extra days off for postal workers facing hardship issues.

The other agreements with the unions include a new bonus scheme for 140,000 postal workers, which should bring together all public service bonuses that postal employees are currently given into a new system that will take effect from July 2015.