Post Office networks Abroad
Post Office networks Abroad
Read MoreTag: La Poste
24-hour general strike cripples Belgium
Most of Belgium was bought to a virtual standstill on Friday as a 24 hour general strike affected transport, schools and government services.
The BBC reports the industrial action, the first general strike in Belgium since 1993, forced the cancellation of trains, including international services such as Eurostar.
The protest was called by Belgium’s Socialist FGTB/ABVV union in protest at government plans to stop workers retiring early with full benefits.
Postal workers at sorting offices walked out on Thursday evening and airport authorities warned of possible disruption to flights.
There were also pickets and blockades at factories and ports. Antwerp, one of Europe’s largest ports, was shut for business as dockers refused to work.
Talks between the government and the unions are expected to continue over the weekend.
Read MoreLa Poste Group: budget 2008 and ambitions 2012
La Poste Board of Directors convened the expected consolidated figures for 2007, and approved the 2008 budget, the pluriannual business plan 2008-2010, and the Group’s financial ambitions for 2012.
In 2007, La Poste should achieve the target operating margin – operating profit over revenues – set for the financial year at 5.8pct , as against 4.6pct in 2006 (IFRS pro forma). It should also meet its net profit target of EUR 850 million. La Poste should also make internal investments of around EUR 1.2 billion in 2007, marginally higher than the EUR 1,136 million of 2006, continuing the drive to modernisation in each of its divisions. External growth operations are directly dependent on market opportunities and are likely to be more moderate in 2007 (EUR 110 million as against EUR 550 million in 2006, essentially involving the international build-up of the Express business.
In 2008, turnover is forecast to rise by 2.9 pct excluding changes in provisions for épargne logement (Home Ownership Savings Plans and Accounts). Mail business revenues should grow by around 1pct , including, as in previous years, slight erosion in volume. The Parcels and Express division should achieve organic growth of more than 6pct. Finally La Banque Postale expects an increase in net banking income of around 4pct.
La Poste Group will implement a programme of internal capital expenditure and investment worth EUR 1.3 billion in 2008. As in 2007, the Mail Quality Project will be implemented at a fast pace, involving the start up of 8 new Industrial Mail Centers. Furthermore, La Poste expects in 2008 to renovate several hundred post offices, having upgraded some 1,900 such in the last thirty months.
Read MoreJohnny Thijs Re-Elected as CEO Belgian Post
Belgian Post CEO Johnny Thijs has been re-elected for another six years by the Belgian government. The 55-year-old was first appointed head of the postal company for six years at the beginning of 2002. His mandate has now been extended for the same period of time, Belgian Post announced. Welcoming the re-appointment, Martine Durez, chairwoman of Belgian Post supervisory board, commented: “Under the leadership of Johnny Thijs, La Poste has become financially stable and improved its efficiency and customer service quality in the last few years. In close collaboration with the Management Board and in accord with staff representatives, he has successfully completed in-house change projects. I am convinced that Johnny Thijs will continue to accomplish this mission with success in order to prepare La Poste for postal liberalisation in 2011.”
Read MoreEU lawmakers approve full mail competition from 2011
A committee of European Union lawmakers on last Tuesday 18th December approved EU plans to open the bloc’s 88 billion euro (USD130 billion) postal markets to full competition, setting the stage for final approval next month.
The European Parliament’s transport committee voted 37 to 2, with six abstentions, in favour of market liberalisation.
EU member states have approved the proposal and it will be debated before the full parliament on Jan. 30, with a vote set for Jan. 31. If it passes unchanged, as expected, the directive will become law.
The market for letters weighing up to 50 grams is currently shielded from competition. Mail above that weight is fully liberalised. The new measure would liberalise all mail delivery.
The new directive takes effect in 13 countries in 2011. The 12 new member states, along with Luxembourg and Greece, have until 2013.
During the hearing on Tuesday, the communist-led GUE/NGL bloc and Green Party members had sought to adopt amendments, including scrapping the measure. They were outvoted on 35 amendments and withdrew another 37.
The measure has sparked protests by postal workers in many EU nations, especially France, who fear job losses.
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