Part of the postal union has called a strike for today and the next two days to improve working conditions. The strike is to involve 9,000 postal workers. They will strike by reducing the pace of work at individual workplaces. The strike will occur because negotiations on establishing an expert working group with CEO Roman Knapp have failed.
The protest is organized by smaller trade union organizations SOS-21 and NOS ČP, while most of the other eight trade union centers will not join the strike.
The management of the post office does not expect any of its employees to join the strike. It will provide services as usual, and operations will not be disrupted, according to its statement.
Dispute over working conditions
After a meeting with trade unionists in early September, Knapp promised to create a working group to address overworking employees and unsatisfactory working conditions at the post office.
However, according to the unions, the established working group is dysfunctional and does not intend to constructively address the employees’ problems.
In addition, in mid-September, the company’s management issued a statement saying that Česká Pošta fully respects the Labour Code and occupational health and safety rules and that employees are in no way overworked.
The trade unionists then set up their working groups without the participation of management. The postal workers send all outputs and specific findings in OSH compliance to the trade unions, which will forward them to the state administration authorities, whose main task is to control compliance with obligations arising from labor law.
The Czech Post employs 27,000 people and operates 3,200 branches. The company has been at a loss since 2018. Postal workers last went on strike five years ago for higher wages.