Unions at Belgian postal company, bpost, have issued a strike notice for Thursday.
In an attempt to send a "strong signal", unions are asking for a future plan for the company and its employees, according to ACOD socialist union representative Geert Cools.
A work stoppage is not necessarily what they are vying for, but should any employees decide to strike, their action will be supported, with a heightened determination noted among French-speaking members, Cools said. Therefore, there may be disruption in mail distribution.
Worker representatives are expressing concern about uncertainty within the company. "We are asking the government to specifically implement support mechanisms for areas with low population density and we demand a future plan," explained the unionist.
The Federal Government made a decision last December not to renew a contract for newspaper distribution. The most recent contract, held by bpost, expired at the end of last year. It will remain in force during a six-month transitional period. After this point, publishers will be free to decide who they wish to engage for distribution.
