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Swiss Communications Union pressure gains transparency

Published: 15 April 2009
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The Swiss Communications Union (Syndicat de la Communication) has gained some "fruit" from its campaign to stop post office closures. The Swiss post Office, La Poste, had so far kept secret which offices they were planning to close. They have now had to release the list so that the union and the public can examine what they are planning and make proper representation on the issues especially on a local basis.


In February 2009, Swiss Post announced it would over the next 3 years look at more than 500 post offices that it would turn into agencies or close. Since then it has already closed nearly 20 post offices that it has replaced by agencies or services at home. The list of post offices in question was kept as a "state secret". Since the Post announced its intention, the Union of Communication has launched its campaign and petition against future closures of post offices. Nearly 30,000 signatures have been collected within a month.
A comparison of the list of the Post with that which the union had compiled shows that the two coincide almost one hundred per cent and thus unmasks the plan of the Post Office which is opposite to the needs of the Swiss population. Only the massive pressure exerted by the Syndicat de la Communication, with the potentially affected communities and politicians has forced the Post Office to "show their colours", and finally publish their list.



Considering that the Swiss Post only seems to react to massive political pressure, the Syndicat de la Communication will continue its political struggle. It is working with the concerned municipalities to react decisively and to fight to maintain their post office. For once a post office is closed and replaced and outsourced to an agency or service at home, the political struggle is no longer possible.