Swiss Post currently runs three operating units for letter processing in the Berne area: a Logistics Center for Letter Processing (LCLP) in Ostermundigen with 96 staff (69 full-time equivalents), a delivery office in Ostermundigen with 102 staff (87 full-time equivalents) and a delivery office in the city of Berne with 175 staff (154 full-time equivalents). Due to falling letter volumes and increasing cost pressure, Swiss Post plans to consolidate the locations. Firstly, work at the Ostermundigen LCLP is expected to be integrated into Härkingen letter center and Berne delivery office by mid-2018. Secondly, there are plans to reallocate the jobs in the Ostermundigen delivery office to existing operating units in the Berne area. This is expected to be complete by the end of November 2019.

Consultation process under way

Swiss Post has initiated the consultation process prescribed by law in relation to the planned discontinuation of the affected organizational units in Ostermundigen. The process is expected to be completed at the beginning of September and will then be analysed. Only after this stage will Swiss Post make a final decision on whether the locations will be consolidated. If they are streamlined, around 15 full-time equivalent positions may be lost. Swiss Post will do everything it can to avoid compulsory redundancies. Jobs would be shed through natural staff turnover. Swiss Post would also offer any affected staff members continued employment within the company. The impact of the plans on Swiss Post’s customers would be only slight. The range and quality of the services offered would not change. The counter for business customers will remain in Ostermundigen.