Strikes continue at Bpost across Belgium

Strike action at Bpost - which began last week - continues, with postal services disrupted across Belgium as workers protested against planned operational changes.

Industrial action has particularly affected West Flanders and Flemish Brabant, while sorting centres in Brussels, Charleroi and Liège are also experiencing major disruption.

“The situation varies from one place to the next,” said Bpost spokesperson Veerle Van Mierlo, adding that sorting centres in Antwerp and Ghent remain operational.

Postal workers are protesting against proposed schedule changes linked to a wider restructuring plan at Bpost.

“Due to the major transformation at Bpost, our postal workers have to start work two hours later,” said Rudi Arnalsteen of the Acod trade union in Diest.

“Naturally, that has a huge impact on their lives. People who normally start at 7.00 will start at 9.00. Staff who start at 8.00 will only do so at 10.00.”

According to unions, the changes are designed to allow customers to place parcel orders later in the day.

“They want to be able to deliver parcels to the sorting centres later, so that customers can order right up until the last moment,” Arnalsteen said.

“And as a result, our postal workers also have to start working later. We understand that we have to move with the times, but there has been absolutely no consultation. That is unacceptable.”

Union representatives say frustration among staff has grown due to uncertainty over the future of postal services in Belgium.

“Everyone knows that Bpost needs to change,” said Bruno Derveaux of the Acod trade union.

"But above all, management must ensure that they get their current staff on board with this narrative.

"Currently, there are frequent threats of redundancies. People are no longer putting up with that."