In theory, postal firms had until January 1, 2011 to reach an agreement allowing them to recruit 80% of their staff with a labor contract, respecting the collective agreement in force. This deadline was postponed to April 1st – the social partners need to find a way to give minimum wage and minimum social protection to 80% of mailmen by January 2014. Ruud Vreeman, former mayor of Tilburg and appointed mediator for the postal case, proposed the creation of a special fund for three years, to help Sandd and Selekt Mail to grant their workers better working conditions. This fund should involve the social partners and all actors in the postal sector, according to Vreeman. Unions and the government welcomed this proposal, yet not unanimously. Paul de Beer, labor law professor at the University of Tilburg, said this fund won’t make things better in the long run, since the issue of the profitability of postal companies will be hanging for three years. De Beer doesn’t see how TNT Post, in the middle of restructuring, can take part in a fund that will mostly help improve working conditions for its rivals. He proposes sticking to market laws and letting postal companies increase their tariffs to pay their staff decently. He seems to believe that the best option would be to help “flexible workers” – one in three employees in the Netherlands – organize better to defend their rights. Since 1996, the number of self-employed workers, including mailmen paid by piece, went from 6 to 9% of the working population.
to pay their staff decently. He seems to believe that the best option would be to help “flexible workers” – one in three employees in the Netherlands – organize better to defend their rights. Since 1996, the number of self-employed workers, including mailmen paid by piece, went from 6 to 9% of the working population.
Planet Labor, January 19, 2011, No. 110039 – www.planetlabor.com
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