Restructuring events
European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
In April 2007 TNT, the biggest private company in the Netherlands (and the former public post services company), announced that 6,500 to 7,000 jobs will be cut in the coming years. According to TNT this figure could increase to 11,000 jobs if trade unions and employees refuse to accept wage reductions and more flexible working hours. The reason given for the restructuring is the liberalisation of the postal market. TNT argues that its competitors, Selekt Mail and Sandd, are paying less than the collectively agreed salary paid by TNT. At present TNT is still taking advantage of the monopoly on personal mail (up to 50 gr) which will end on 1 January 2008. Most of the job cuts will concern postmen and women, which will be replaced by so-called mail deliverers, who are much cheaper due to shorter working hours and lower salaries. Unions and the works council opposed the restructuring and demanded an independent review of the plans, to which TNT agreed and that was conducted by the Boston Consultancy Group. The results of the review became public on 13 June 2007 and on the whole supported the views of TNT that between 6,500 and 7,000 jobs will have to go until 2010. A union spokesman admitted that job cuts appear unavoidable but demanded greater involvement by TNT in helping affected employees find new jobs. According to a TNT spokesman further restructuring after 2010 cannot be ruled out. Between 2001 and 2006, 9,000 full-time jobs have already been cut.
Eurofound (2007), TNT Post, Internal restructuring in Netherlands, factsheet number 65492, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/65492.