Today, postal workers in several parts of Flanders again went on strike to protest against the plans of postal services provider Bpost to change their working hours. At various distribution centres in Flemish Brabant, a large majority of staff have downed tools. In West Flanders, too, around 300 postal workers have refused to set to work. ‘Enough is enough,’ is the sentiment there.
The strike at Bpost began in Wallonia early last week, after which the industrial action spread to Brussels and then to Flanders proper. By the end of last week, strikes were taking place in Limburg, Antwerp and Aarschot in Flemish Brabant.
The industrial action affects post offices in East Brabant Province, in Diest, Geetbets, Aarschot, Kampenhout, Boortmeerbeek, Haacht and Landen.
The workforce is unhappy because Bpost management is changing working hours to suit parcel delivery companies that want to deliver the next day. As a result, postal workers’ hours are being changed.
Rudi Arnalsteen of the socialist ACOD trade union is on strike at the post office in Diest. “Due to transformations at Bpost, our postmen and women have to start work two hours later. That naturally has a huge impact on their lives,” he explains. “People who normally start at 7 am will now start at 9 am. Staff who start at 8 am will only do so at 10 am.”
Adapting to fast-paced parcel delivery companies
According to Arnalsteen, the reason for the shift in working hours lies with the parcel delivery companies, which want to deliver parcels ever more quickly. "They want to be able to deliver parcels to the sorting centres later in the day, so that customers can place orders right up until the last minute. And so our postal workers are being obliged to start work later as well. We understand that we have to move with the times, but there has been absolutely no consultation – that’s unacceptable. "
Further strikes in the coming days are planned. ‘Certainly in Diest and Landen,’ concludes the trade union rep.
At least 300 postal workers on strike in West Flanders
In West Flanders too, at least 300 postal workers have downed tools in protest at the new working hours they will be required to work. According to the Christian ACV trade union, that number could easily rise to 500. In total, strikes are taking place at around 12 post offices: Bruges, Menin, Oostkamp, Blankenberge, Knokke, Roeselare, Izegem, Ostend, Harelbeke, Ieper, Jabbeke and De Haan.
The impact on postal deliveries could also be significant here. Deliveries are now subject to priority rules. “This means that priority is given to registered items and urgent parcels, but the rest of the post round will be delayed. It is simply impossible to deliver everything,” says Kristof Debruyne of the Christian trade union ACV.