Tag: Swiss Post

The Swiss Postal Service declared on Wednesday that it will reconsider its controversial decision to reform its mail processing system. As its CEO, Ulrich Gygi, told media representatives in Berne, after talks with the trade unions the Postal Service has decided to examine alternatives to a project which would reduce the present 18 letter-sorting centers to only three facilities. The Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (UVEK), along with most political parties, welcomed the decision. By concentrating its mail processing activities, the Postal Service was hoping to save some Sfr. 200 million annually – but the change would have cost about 3,500 employees their jobs.

Announcement of the Swiss Postal Service’s intention to reduce the existing 11 sorting centers to just four facilities triggered disgruntlement and some vehement protests among postal workers and the unions. So last Tuesday Federal Councilor Leuenberger declared that alternatives to the radical restructuring plan would be examined. To that end, according to an announcement from the Ministry for Environment, Transportation, Energy and Communications (ETEC), the Council has invited the cantons involved, along with labor and management, to consultations on the matter. The talks will take a closer look at the massive social and regional impact of the planned postal restructuring and discuss other possibilities for reorganization. The ETEC has so far released no further details about possible alternatives.

The Swiss Post Office has announced plans to drastically reduce its mail processing centres and cut 2,500 jobs.
Under the proposals, which still need final confirmation by the board of directors, the country’s 18 mail sorting centres would be closed and replaced by only three units.

According to a decision by the National Council (lower house) taken last Thursday, Swiss parcel post will be totally deregulated as of the year 2004.

As to first-class letters, the limit of the Swiss Postal Service’s monopoly will be reduced to items weighing no more than 100 grams by 2006. Motions by leftist parties to block these moves were defeated.