Netherlands: trial of strength between TNT and unions

Negotiations on ways to cut costs. Negotiations on TNT’s next collective agreement are at a standstill, since unions rejected, in April, a major restructuring program announced in August 2007. This program provides for 11,000 job cuts out of the 23,000 of the postal unit in the Netherlands. TNT, known for its unbending social policy, promised in March that it wouldn’t lay anyone off until 2012. Unions obtained this in exchange for a 15% wage cut (see our dispatch No. 090271). Yet TNT didn’t give up its massive restructuring plan. It said there would only be part-time jobs by 2015, because of the liberalization of the postal market implemented on April 1. “We are currently discussing with unions to find ways to carry out the cost reductions we need” said TNT CEO Peter Bakker on November 2 when he presented his group’s results for the third quarter. “TNT remains focused on its aggressive objectives to monitor costs and finances” he reminded.
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y 2015, because of the liberalization of the postal market implemented on April 1. “We are currently discussing with unions to find ways to carry out the cost reductions we need” said TNT CEO Peter Bakker on November 2 when he presented his group’s results for the third quarter. “TNT remains focused on its aggressive objectives to monitor costs and finances” he reminded.

Studies for alternative solutions. In may, the Federation of Dutch Trade Unions (FNV) and the Federation of Christian Trade U

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