FACING THE LIBERALISATION OF POSTAL SERVICES

The 31.12.2010 is approaching: by this date all EU member States have to open all postal services to competition, with the exception of those countries applying for derogation until the end of 2012. This deadline is pushing several national operators to accelerate their internal restructuring, by closing sectors providing universal services and developing the financial business of postal service providers.

Workers, trade unionists and political parties have reacted: struggles and strikes began in France, Germany, UK and Ireland, but also other countries such as Belgium and Italy are highly concerned. Even in those countries where the single market has been already achieved such as in Germany or Sweden, the threat of wage dumping policies is still significant.

The GUE/NGL group, with MEPs Sabine Wils, Joe Higgins and Dennis de Jong, is facilitating links between these different movements, giving them the floor in a public hearing to be held in Bruxelles next March 4th, 2010, 10.00 to 13.00. People will come from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom to take part, as well as delegations from UNI Post & Logistics Trade Union.

GUE/NGL PRESS CONTACT Gianfranco Battistini + 32 475 646628 Sonja Giese + 32 486 94 50 21 David Lundy + 32 485 50 58 12