The Hague, the Netherlands, 23 April 2024 – PostNL and the memberships of trade unions BVPP and CNV have signed a new collective labour agreement (CLA) covering some 15,000 mail deliverers. The new CLA runs from 1 January 2024 through 31 December 2025. Mail deliverers are looking at improved employment conditions and a pay rise of at least 19%.
A key element of the new CLA is the new pay structure. This reflects the work experience built up by mail deliverers and the increase in the legal minimum wage. It has five scales: the longer people have been working as mail deliverers, the higher their wages. There will be multiple pay increases in the course of the new CLA, the first of which – the legally required raise of 9.9% – came into force on 1 January 2024, while the last will take effect on 1 July 2025. By that date, pay will have added between 19% and 25% relative to 31 December 2023.
In addition to these pay rises, other agreements include higher pay for 16- and 17-year-olds, an end to youth wages from age 18, a bonus payment for mentors, higher bike allowances and monthly payment of the holiday allowance for new mail deliverers.
Maurice Unck, Director of Mail in the Netherlands at PostNL, said: "Mail deliverers play a vital role in our society. The new CLA makes this part-time job more attractive and reflects appreciation for the work our mail deliverers do. The postal service in the Netherlands faces major challenges because of changing consumer needs, declining postal volumes and rising costs. Our responsibility is to strike the right balance between our appreciation for our people and keeping the postal service accessible across the country.”
PostNL is doing everything in its power to keep mail accessible, reliable and affordable. On 26 February 2024, it announced it is looking to change from delivering within 24 hours to two days, to reflect changing customer and consumer needs. This will require a change to postal laws for PostNL to be able to further adjust its network and so keep the postal service future-proof and financially healthy.