News

With the argument of the current crisis and a loss of revenues and shipments, Deutsche Post DHL announced redundancies in the airline operations in Brussels on Monday, 8 June. Instead, capacity should be increase in the new hub in Leipzig. The Belgium Unions prepared for fight!



Belgian local management informed already its employees in writing on possible compensation payments in the case of redundancies. Belgium trade unions see this as a disrespect of the workers and their representatives. In fact, it is in contradiction to the meaning of “respect and results”, the company’s principles.



Belgian unions are ready to fight against these planned redundancies and can count of the full support of UNI and UNI europa, the global trade union federation and its regional arm for post & logistic workers. See also under: http://www.tijd.be/nieuws/ondernemingen_industrie/Tot_450_jobs_weg_bij_DHL_in_Belgie.8193870-434.art and http://www.standaard.be/Artikel/Detail.aspx?artikelId=DMF20090608_064



Also, this announcement does not follow the provisions of information and consultation of the European Works Council agreement of Deutsche Post DHL. During the last EWC Forum meeting last Thursday, the 4^th of June, the Management did not inform the EWC members about the intended dismissals during the last EWC plenary meeting (EWCF) on 4 June.



The EWCF passed a common statement on behalf of all workers and their representatives of all countries where Deutsch Post DHL is operating. They claim more respect to workers, the involvement of local and European workers’ representatives at an early stage in planned changes and no more redundancies as an answer to the current crisis. This statement seemed to fall on deaf ears looking at the managerial behavior this week in Belgium.



UNI and UNI europa post & logistics support the actions from the Belgium unions and the workers in Deutsche Post DHL. The salami slicing of management shall reduce workers’ rights step by bypassing information and consultation on the European level. UNI calls on Deutsche Post DHL management to stop any changes until information and consultation is completed.



UNI post & logistics and ITF are running a global campaign for a global agreement. The aim is for Deutsche Post DHL to admit to minimum rights of workers in their company all over the world. It includes the right to decent working conditions, the freedom of association and the respect of the local labour law. Until now, the company is rather reluctant to establish a global social dialogue with the global unions.