bpost reaches agreement with staff over new organisational model

Belgian postal operator bpost has announced that it has reached an agreement with the majority of its staff representatives over the company’s new organisational model. In an official statement issued today (29 October), bpost said that this agreement was “essential” for the future of the company, adding that it will give the postal operator the opportunity to achieve its ambitions in the e-commerce and parcel delivery market.

“The new organisational model not only safeguards existing jobs, it also offers good prospects for the future,” continue bpost. “The agile organisation will result in improved efficiency, which we need to be able to cope with declining mail volumes. At the same time, it enables bpost to process parcel volumes better and to correctly manage the daily fluctuations.”

The new measures will come into effect on 1 January 2016. For some departments, said bpost, this will mean “incorporating Saturdays into a five-day working week”.

Koen Van Gerven, CEO of bpost, commented: “It is a balanced agreement. It is a sign of realism and an important step in further improving our service offering to our customers. With this agreement our company can enhance its competitiveness and safeguard hundreds of jobs for our employees.”