Post office and Flemish publishers agree new newspaper distribution contract that will start on 1 July
The Belgian post office Bpost has signed an agreement with the Flemish newspaper publishers for the distribution of newspapers from 1 July. This means that Bpost will continue to deliver 75% of the newspapers that it currently distributes. The new distribution contract offers Bpost employees whose work currently involves the distribution of newspapers job security. Meanwhile, Bpost has made an offer for the distribution of magazines.
At the end of last year, the Federal Government decided to reduce the subsidies given for the distribution of newspapers and Bpost faced losing the distribution contract. However, the government granted Bpost a transitional period of six months. This ends on 1 July.
Speaking on VRT Radio 1’s morning news and current affairs programme ‘De ochtend’ Bpost’s CEO Chris Peeters said that under the terms of the old distribution contract Bpost received a set amount in subsidy for every newspaper it delivered anywhere in the country. However, this will come to an end on 30 June.
“From 1 July, Bpost will not receive any more subsidy for the distribution of newspapers. For then the publishers will receive a grant to help finance the distributors of their newspaper. They have the freedom to opt for the most competitive offer they have received”.
75% of all newspapers
Mr Peeters added that the new distribution contract means that Bpost will still distribute three-quarters of all the newspapers that it currently does. It is Bpost’s intent to transfer the lion’s share of the newspaper distribution work to Bpost’s subsidiary AMP. This will be done gradually on an area per area basis. Until the end of this year though newspapers will still be distributed by postmen and postwomen.
Job security
Mr Peeters went on to say that the new contract means that no Bpost employee a with permanent employment contract will lose their job “The transfer to AMP means we don't have to lay people off. People that have a contract of employment with Bpost will be able to carry on working for us”.
“They already do other tasks besides their newspaper round, for example a classic post round or a parcel round. We will ensure that they will still have work with the same type of employment contract”. However, “Some temporary contracts may well be discontinued at some point”.
Meanwhile, Bpost has made an offer for the distribution of magazines. “That still has to be approved by the regulator. Once it is approved, we will enter into negotiations with the individual magazine publishers”.
Still no agreement with Francophone publishers
There is still no agreement between Bpost and the unions that represent Francophone postal workers. Mr Peeters is keen to assure them that his aim is "to secure maximum volume and finding solutions that will guarantee job security for employees that have permanent employment contracts".
He added that "We are still in negotiations with the Francophone publishers. The situation there is completely different than it is in Flanders. Newspaper subscribers are much more spread out in many parts of Wallonia”.