Postal workers across Wallonia have embarked on widespread strikes protesting bpost's proposed reorganization plan, which they believe will impose unsustainable workloads and extend their working hours unreasonably. Initiated around one week ago from Tournai, the discontent has escalated, manifesting prominently at sorting centers such as Awans, Liège, and Visé.
On Monday, workers from Liège and Visé gathered outside the Awans sorting center to express their grievances, effectively halting mail distribution from this pivotal location. "A first emergency meeting concerning Visé yielded no progress, and workers remain on strike, showing solidarity with their colleagues at Awans," explained Christophe Romain, delegate from CSC Transcom.
Union representatives claim the restructuring proposal, which includes cutting 17 delivery services and redistributing their workload among remaining routes, is unmanageable. Romain added, "We’re not against change, but not like this. It's simply untenable when some colleagues are expected to handle over 1,000 additional deliveries on their routes." The unions gathered outside these centers assert their opposition to the changes, which they say will stretch their roles beyond reasonable limits.
The strike began to gain traction last week, originally focusing on Tournai before spreading to other areas, including Froyennes, Mons, Namur, and now Charleroi. Reports indicate some services are still operational; about 70% of delivery routes have reportedly been maintained, according to bpost. Nonetheless, the disruptions at various sorting centers indicate pervasive dissatisfaction.
Describing the operational situation, Grégory Vandersmissen, another representative from CSC, noted, "Limited disruptions have been initially anticipated for delivery services within Fleurus and surrounding areas. The piquet at Awans, which started on Sunday evening, continues to hinder operations."
The spokesperson for bpost clarified the company's position, explaining, "This is about reallocations based on operational reality, and we do not intend to fire anyone as part of this new structure." They emphasized the need for the company to adapt swiftly to competitive pressures, particularly from major parcel delivery players such as Amazon.
Negotiations are scheduled to resume on Tuesday between bpost and union representatives. Following the strike's escalation, bpost faces significant pressure to address the concerns of its workforce as they demand acceptable working conditions. The workers have expressed determination, indicating their willingness to remain on strike until their demands are met and significant changes are made to the proposed organization plans.
The unions have voiced disappointment over the government's actions, as they saw bailiffs arriving at the strike locations following complaints from bpost management, which they regard as unprecedented. "We’ve never witnessed bailiffs at the onset of our strikes before at bpost," stated representatives from both CSC and CGSP, underscoring the tense atmosphere surrounding the negotiations.
This labor unrest reflects broader dissatisfaction among workers within the postal service as they adapt to changing operational demands and pressures within the industry. With numerous delivery services feeling the pinch from other competitors, they seek to find not just solutions for maintaining employment but also for ensuring manageable workloads as they navigate the challenges of their roles.
The impacts of these strikes have been felt across Wallonia, and with the continued blockade at key sorting centers, the future of mail delivery remains uncertain. The workers assert their collective resolve to see changes made, and as they prepare for the next round of negotiations, the postal community holds its breath, waiting to see if bpost will modify its plans to meet the concerns raised by labor representatives.