Trade unions and PostNL agree negotiation outcome on new CLA for mail deliverers
The Hague, the Netherlands, 22 March 2024 – PostNL and trade unions BVPP, CNV and FNV have agreed a negotiated outcome for a new collective labour agreement (CLA) for PostNL’s 15,000 mail deliverers. The CLA will run for two years, from 1 January 2024 through 31 December 2025. PostNL is pleased with this solid outcome for its mail deliverers, who are looking at a pay rise of at least 19% over this period. The agreement fits in with the financial outlook PostNL has communicated to the markets. The trade unions will now put the outcome to their membership.
Maurice Unck, Director of Mail in the Netherlands, said: "From voting cards in elections to season’s greetings in December: receiving mail remains vitally important to a great many people – and our mail deliverers play a pivotal part in this. That’s why I’m delighted we have an outcome that reflects appreciation for the important work they do. An outcome that should make a job as a mail deliverer more attractive in today’s tight labour market. Despite the challenging conditions facing our postal business, all mail deliverers can count on better employment terms and conditions as well as a pay rise – with extra attention focused on the large group of people who have been with us for many years.”
New pay structure and employment benefits
A key element of the outcome is the new pay structure. This incorporates the recent increase in the legal minimum wage, which had pushed beyond pay scales for mail deliverers with effect from 1 July 2023. The new structure has five scales and once again reflects the work experience built up by mail deliverers. The deal envisages four pay increases in the course of the new CLA, the last of which will take effect on 1 July 2025. By that date, mail deliverers’ pay will have added at least 19% relative to 31 December 2023.
In addition to these pay rises, the negotiators agreed to raise pay for 16- and 17-year-olds, to end youth wages from age 18, and to grant various benefits and monthly payment of the holiday allowance to new mail deliverers.
Developments in the postal market
PostNL is doing everything in its power to keep mail accessible, reliable and affordable. For many years now, it’s been facing major challenges in the wake of changing consumer needs, declining postal volumes and rising costs. It recently announced that it is looking to adapt the service network for its postal services to its changing environment. A change to postal laws will be necessary for it to be able to further adjust its network and so keep the postal service future-proof and financially healthy.
Consulting memberships
The outcomes of union member consultation are expected to be announced by mid-April.
About PostNL
We are PostNL, here for everyone, bringing it all together for 225 years. With an extensive network of nearly 5,800 PostNL points, 11,000 letterboxes, and over 900 automated, also open to various carriers, along with millions of users of the PostNL app, we're always close by. We aim to be everyone's favourite deliverer by making it as easy as possible to send and receive parcels and mail. With nearly 34,000 colleagues working with us, we are part of society. We offer a range of services, including mail and parcel delivery, logistic e-commerce solutions, and cross-border solutions. On an average weekday in the Benelux, we deliver 1.1 million parcels and 6.9 million letters. We are commitment to customer satisfaction, providing opportunities for our employees, and generating value for our stakeholders through growth, digitalisation, and sustainability.
We optimise and support our physical networks through the use of smart digital solutions and introduce new propositions that add value for our customers. And aim for sustainable employment relationships by being a good employer to all people working with and for us. We focus on sustainability, making many journeys on foot and by bicycle, increasingly using cleaner fuels and electric vehicles, and offering innovative city logistics. PostNL N.V. is a publicly traded company with a turnover of €3.2 billion in 2023, 62% of which e-commerce related.