Tag: TNT

TNT files complaint with the European Commission about Germany’s postal sector minimum wage

Posted by | Mar 27, 2008 | |

TNT has filed a complaint with the European Commission about the introduction of a euro 9.80 minimum wage for all postal carriers in Germany, which violates European Union rules.

The German government’s decision to declare the minimum wage generally binding violates the European treaty on competition and freedom of establishment. Under the cover of social reasons, it aims to raise the costs of Deutsche Post’s rivals, hinder competition, and shield the historic monopolist from the impact of market liberalisation and the realisation of a single European postal market.

“Some Member States are taking protectionist measures to circumvent the Postal Directive. European customers deserve more than a cosmetic liberalisation,” says Peter Bakker, CEO of TNT. “By filing our complaint, we join in the European Commission’s efforts to ensure fair competition.”

On 7 March 2008, the Berlin Administrative Court in first instance ruled that the German State had failed to consider the economic impact on competitors when introducing the euro 9.80 minimum wage. The German government publicly disregards the ruling.

Read More

ShipGooder takes shipping to the next dimension

Posted by | Mar 26, 2008 | |

It’s an old question with an interesting twist: Which costs more to ship – a pound of bricks or a pound of feathers? The answer: It depends on the size of the box.

Couriers use package dimensions to determine the “dimensional weight” of a shipment. Large packages cost couriers more to ship than smaller packages. Couriers charge this higher cost to their shipping customers. For example, if a square box measures 24 inches on each side, the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx UPS and DHL count the weight of the box as 72 pounds, even if the box and its contents weigh only 25 pounds.

ShipGooder.com, the market leader for providing courier rate searches across multiple carriers, today announced the launch of a new dimensional weight feature. In addition, ShipGooder.com announced a new function to allow visitors to specify a residential destination for their shipments.

Visitors to ShipGooder.com simply enter their shipping origin and destination zip codes, along with the dimensions and weight of their shipment. Package dimensions can be input when visitors click on the “advanced options” link on the homepage. ShipGooder automatically determines the dimensional weight of the package to calculate the ultimate shipping weight that couriers will charge. Current rates from the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS and DHL are instantly displayed in a simple table along with rates from local and regional carriers.

Once the rates are displayed, ShipGooder’s AJAX technology allows visitors to change any shipping parameter, such as the package weight or destination zip code to see updates to the rates in real-time. Additionally, the free website does not require visitors to register any personal information, and does not clutter its pages with distracting ads.

Read More

Unions meet with TNT and seek dialogue to secure rights for workers globally

Posted by | Mar 26, 2008 | |

UNI along with the ITF, Verdi and the Dutch unions FNV Bondgenoten and Abvakabo, met with TNT management to discuss the unions’ concerns about TNT not adhering to minimum social and labour standards throughout the world. UNI has been running a campaign to support Ver.di in Germany where they are demanding that TNT pay the legal minimum wage that was set for postal workers by the German parliament.

The union delegation also expressed its concern at the apparent support for a “ghost” or “bogus” union that has been set up in the postal sector and which has clearly been funded by at least one of the post companies opposing the minimum wage.

The delegation asked that TNT respect the German minimum wage and that it would agree not to carry out social dumping and to pay decent wages wherever it set up its letter business. TNT said if the German court told it that they must pay the minimum wage they would abide by that decision, however there is now expected to be a considerable number of court actions over some lengthy period as the Ministry of Labour in German appeals the latest decision by a Berlin court.

The Union delegation also insisted that TNT not support any “bogus” unions and deal with real independent unions and to have further discussions with UNI and the ITF on developing a proper global social dialogue and meeting basic labour standards and workers rights while paying socially acceptable wages. TNT agreed to consider this request.

Read More

TNT introduces new packaging line

Posted by | Mar 25, 2008 | |

TNT’s Express division is introducing a new packaging line designed to better protect shipments from damage, promote the TNT brand across the globe and support the company’s environmental effort. TNT, which produces 50 million packaging items per year, is first deploying its new parcels and satchels in Europe and the Middle East. The new envelopes are available worldwide. Sales staff has received special training to give customers packaging advice. TNT also provides a DVD to help customers choose the right packing.

The new packaging line offers customers more choice, ease-of-use and protection against damage. There is a proper parcel, envelope, tube or satchel for any shipment ranging from confidential documents to temperature controlled medical samples. For example, the new BubblePak (410×330 mm) has an inner bubble lining, making it quicker to send breakable goods. TubePak is designed for posters and MedPaks for medical samples. Choice does not rule out simplicity: each type of packaging is identified by a simple name and visual. All new parcels feature simple pictorial instructions, describing the best way to pack, seal and send items. Redesigned envelopes and satchels have perforated openings for easy opening. To reduce the chance of damage, envelopes and boxes are made of strengthened sturdy cardboard.

The highly recognizable packaging better promotes the TNT brand. The new packs boast TNT’s energetic color orange as well as bright, attractive close shots of sunflowers, oranges, goldfishes, sea stars, flower petals or butterflies. TNT also offers a new line of packaging stickers to better reflect its new services portfolio and help the packaging stand out.

The new packaging is part of TNT’s comprehensive environmental push. All cardboard envelopes and boxes are made of recycled materials and are recyclable. The new plastic satchels are biodegradable after two years. Each one of them bears an expiry date.

Read More

Express operators step up Latin America investment

Posted by | Mar 25, 2008 | |

Leading international and domestic express companies in Latin America have announced investment plans in recent weeks to build up their networks and add new services. Mexico and Brazil are the focus of investment.

DHL Express will invest about USD 112 million (EUR 72 million) in Mexico over the next five years (2008-2012) in new hubs, gateways, the domestic air network, the ground fleet, IT systems and other measures, DHL Mexico director general Luis Eraña told local newspapers.

Estafeta, one of the leading private operators in Mexico, will invest about USD 30 million (EUR 19.2 million) this year to expand its network, director general José Antonio Armendáriz told local media. The bulk will go on a runway extension at its hub at San Luis Potosí in central Mexico that will enable international flight operations. The operator also plans to add three small cargo planes to supplement its existing five B737Fs, and build new centres in Toluca, Morelia, Leon and Guadalajara.

In Brazil, private express company Rapidao Cometa announced earlier this month it will invest RUSD 32 million (EUR 11.8 million) in a 65,000 sqm new logistics centre in São Paulo to triple handling capacity there. The centre, due to open in the second half of the year, will act as a base for the company, whose businesses is mostly generated in northern Brazil, to expand in the south and south-east of the country. “In terms of business distribution by region, the company’s activities are disproportioned,” commented commercial director Américo Pereira Filho.

Brazilian express operator Mercúrio, owned by TNT Express, already announced at the start of the year that it will buy 100 trucks this year to expand its fleet, and will open new hubs at Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza and Recife this year.

Meanwhile, Brazil Post has played down recent reports it might buy Variglog, the troubled Brazilian cargo airline, in order to build up a domestic air cargo operation instead of relying on commercial capacity. Describing Variglog as an “option”, its president Carlos Henrique Custódio told the newspaper Gazeta Mercantil that Brazil Post is also talking with four smaller airlines about “a new formation” to help its business.

Elsewhere in Latin America, TNT Express has started offering a new air service between Buenos Aires and Montevideo, connecting the two capitals each working day of the week. In Peru, Grupo Scharff, the local FedEx partner company, aims to broaden its portfolio by offering more FedEx products in the second half of this year. The company increased revenues 20% to USD 13 million last year from its FedEx-branded services, according to the El Comercio newspaper.

Read More

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

P&P Poll

Loading

What's the future of the postal USO?

Thank you for voting
You have already voted on this poll!
Please select an option!



View ResultsHide Results

Post & Parcel Magazine


Post & Parcel Magazine is our print publication, released 3 times a year. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, Post & Parcel Magazine is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.

Subscribe to the Magazine

 

Pin It on Pinterest