The social partners of the European Social Dialogue Committee (SDC) for the postal sector signed a “Joint declaration on the role of Social Dialogue in the transformation of the Postal Sector” at their annual plenary on 1st December. This is the Committee’s 10th declaration since it was established in 1999 and enables the formalisation of the common viewpoints among social partners, on how social dialogue can support the industry's change process. It builds on the findings of the fruitful EU co-funded project “Mobilising social partners in a new context” conducted by the SDC in 2015-2016.

After 16 years of following-up on the main social evolutions in the postal sector, this declaration enables partners to set the main principles on how an effective social dialogue at all levels can be an essential lever for anticipating and supporting the transformation process. Based on an in-depth analysis of the collective labour agreements signed by 16 national postal operators, it recognizes that all postal companies have put in place numerous social measures. These measures should take into consideration the interest of all parties to efficiently support the transformation and find the balance between the modernization of their work structure, increased flexibility and good working conditions. 

The Joint Declaration also underlines the need to enhance the awareness and competencies of all social partners on the developments and overall e-commerce strategy. They should have the necessary knowledge and tools to support the ongoing developments in the sector. For this purpose, all stakeholders are encouraged to use the Massive Open Online Course on e-commerce and proximity services developed in the framework of the project.

Through this declaration, the Committee underlines its commitment to encourage effective social dialogue at all levels as well as the implementation and wide coverage of collective bargaining at the national level to accompany in a socially responsible way the imperative of postal transformation. For this purpose, it will carry out its actions on the following points:

• Monitor the main social evolutions in the sector.
• Observe the social impact of the diversification of postal operators,
• Monitor changes in skills and other requirements,
• Follow-up the development of new services and their social impact.

“The Joint Declaration on social dialogue highlights that effective social dialogue at all levels is essential to ensure a socially responsible transformation of the postal sector. It was important for me to achieve this joint document as a testimony of my ten-year engagement as Chair of the Social Dialogue Committee” says Dominique Bailly who stepped down from his position of Chairman of the Social Dialogue Committee.

“The Joint Declaration builds on the numerous projects and joint statements achieved by the European social partners since its creation. We encourage all postal operators and trade unions at the national level to take into consideration and implement its main principles. Our upcoming project on capacity-building is fully in line with the declaration and will enable to ensure its concrete follow-up ” affirms Brian Scott, Vice-Chairman of the Social Dialogue Committee.

The annual plenary was also the occasion to renew the mandates of the SDC. Jutta Rawe- Bäumer from Deutsche Post DHL was elected as SDC President replacing Dominique Bailly from Groupe La Poste who stepped down from his mandate after 10 years. On the Unions’ side, Brian Scott from Unite was reappointed as Vice-Chair.

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For more information, please contact:

Margaux Meidinger
Head of research, prospective and International Relations
T: +3 1 55 44 23 73 
E: margaux.meidinger.laposte.fr

Cynthia Wee-Neumann
Communications Manager
T: +2 2 773 11 92 
E: cynthia.wee@posteurop.org