The strike at sorting centers of bpost, which affected the processing and delivery of packages for over a week, has reached a resolution, according to the postal service's management. Effective Sunday, employees, who had protested against recent organizational changes, can return to work, paving the way for the resumption of mail services throughout Belgium.
Mathieu Goedefroy, spokesperson for bpost, confirmed on Sunday, "The parking lots and sorting centers are unblocked."
Despite this, he remarked, "The strike is not over, but willing workers can get back to work. Our priority is to get packages to people as quickly as possible." He stressed the urgency to tackle the significant backlog of packages stuck due to the blockade, which amounted to around 800,000 items.
Significant disruptions began last week when workers at the bpost sorting centers located in Brussels, Charleroi, and Liège initiated protests against new work reorganizations proposed by management. Bpost claims these measures aim to redistribute local postal rounds based on operational needs without reducing jobs. The protests led to blocking sorting centers, forcing bpost to seek judicial assistance to dismantle these obstacles.
Reports indicate the intervention of bailiffs was necessary to address the blockades, particularly harsh actions observed during the removal process at the Charleroi sorting center. Goedefroy indicated some of the actions were voluntary, stating, "The removal was done without incident, but the situation was more forceful in Charleroi", according to Thierry Tasset, representing the CGSP Poste union. He emphasized, "We will protest on Monday and re-establish blockades," highlighting the workers' commitment to continue their cause.
The need for regional changes appears rooted in bpost's attempt to adapt to the growing demands of mail delivery, especially as the volume of packages surged during the pandemic. Yet, employee sentiments reflect frustration over management's decisions, which they believe disregard their concerns.
Christophe Romain, a union delegate, reflected this sentiment during discussions over the past few days, saying, "The company maintains its position and believes its actions are justified." His declaration of continued protests indicates unresolved tensions between the workforce and bpost management.
On the political front, Vanessa Matz, the Federal Minister for Public Enterprises, is set to meet with both management and union representatives to discuss the situation. Matz urged both parties to give the social dialogue every chance for resolution, stating, "It is important for the sake of the company, its workers, and its customers."
This intervention aims to facilitate constructive discussions to prevent future disruptions and seek solutions benefiting employees and operations.
Currently, as bpost works to clear the backlog left by the blockages, Goedefroy acknowledged the urgency: "We have significant delays, and our first priority is to get packages to people as quickly as possible." The effective closure of the blockades marks only the beginning of necessary reconciliations between bpost and its employees, with much work still required to restore trust and operational efficiency.