Restructuring of postal services opposed

In February 2002, the management of the Austrian postal service announced plans to split the company into five distinct units. Trade unions claim that the restructuring plans will destroy more than 11,000 jobs in the long run and increase costs, and have threatened strike action.

On 11 February 2002, the board of directors of the Austrian postal service (Post AG) presented restructuring plans, aimed at splitting the company into five business units: advertising mail ('Infomail'), newspaper delivery, letter post, over-the-counter services and express messenger services ('Kurier-Express-Paket'). The primary goal is to prepare Post AG for market competition (AT0203202F) and attract potential investors. While management expects the restructuring plans to improve business results, the Union of Postal and Telecommunication Workers (Gewerkschaft der Post- und Fernmeldebediensteten, GPF) fears that the plans will create additional costs of EUR 250 billion (due to loss of 'synergy') and destroy more than 11,000 jobs in the long run. Hence, the trade union announced that it would take any necessary measures to prevent the 'divestment' of the company.

On 14 February, the central works council for the postal service decided to raise a 'formal objection against business management' (Einspruch gegen die Wirtschaftsführung) based on §111 of the Labour Constitution Act (Arbeitsverfassungsgesetz, ArbVG). Under this legal provision, in companies with more than 400 employees the works council has the right to oppose any company restructuring measures. In cases where the employer and the employee representatives are unable to settle their dispute, the latter may appeal to the tripartite National Economic Commission (Staatliche Wirtschaftskommission). While this legal procedure is relatively 'toothless', unions have sought to intensify pressure on management to re-evaluate its plan.

By 13 March, the Post AG central works council and management, though continuing their negotiations, were unable to reach any compromise solution. The employee representatives thus announced that they would call a nationwide strike if management implemented its restructuring plans. However, it remains to be seen if GPF will really take such action, as Austria's most recent postal strike occurred in 1965, when all employees of the former Austrian Postal Authorities (Österreichische Post- und Telegraphenverwaltung, ÖPTV) ceased work for one hour.