Following Saturday's newspaper distribution disruption, postal workers are maintaining their fight for job defence and recognition, they announced on Wednesday.
Trade union delegates from CSC-Transcom and CGSP Poste have been conducting an action, in the form of a "symbolic picket", since 07:00 on Wednesday at Charleroi's distribution centre.
The state contract for newspaper distribution expires on 30 June. Postal workers warn of an impending deterioration in service quality. They also call for a change in the company's decisions concerning the matter.
"Bpost management aims to tighten reorganisation rules to yield further savings, simultaneously announcing the acquisition of a foreign subsidiary [French logistics group Staci] for an alleged €1.3 billion," protested the unionists.
At a time of announced austerity, "this 'champagne' management is organising a conference with an overnight stay at Walloon Brabant's most luxurious hotel on Wednesday. Isn't this gross disrespect towards the 26,000 Belgian employees?" they stated.
"Our colleagues from Charleroi will need to relocate by 1 August. Where will they end up, under a tent?" quipped CGSP Poste General Secretary, Thierry Tasset.
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The unions perceive themselves as "abandoned by politics, deserted by publishers and sold out by management." They condition the resumption of social dialogue on the abandonment of aspirations for "a drastic increase in productivity." They also demand thorough analyses and negotiations aimed at retaining in-house press distribution.
"Without real management course correction, actions will inevitably toughen," warned both CSC-Transcom and CGSP Poste. A strike notice has been issued for 22 April. A joint committee meeting on Thursday will present the group's accounts.
