Bpost announced on Thursday, April 16, 2026, that it had reached a preliminary agreement with labor unions to end a three-week strike over its transformation plan, according to multiple Belgian news outlets.
The agreement, described by management as a compromise on five key points, includes maintaining fixed five-day service schedules, guaranteeing staff status, shifting most deliveries to conclude by 5 p.m., creating an internal pool to reduce reliance on external subcontractors, and increasing meal vouchers by €2 under the collective labor agreement.
Union representatives, still, characterized the deal differently, stating that while they had agreed to begin discussions on these points, no final settlement had been ratified by their membership. They noted that union policy requires base validation before any accord is considered binding.
The discrepancy in interpretation raised concerns about the durability of the resolution, with observers questioning whether operate would resume as scheduled on Friday. Union officials said they had instructed members not to comment publicly during mediation, which they argued explained the lack of immediate confirmation from their side following management’s announcement.
The strike, which began over 20 days ago, has disrupted mail and parcel distribution across Belgium, particularly in Wallonia, where walking pickets were reported at several sorting centers. Management insists the transformation plan remains essential for modernizing logistics operations amid declining traditional mail volumes.
Despite the conflicting signals, the development marks the first concrete step toward de-escalation since the industrial action began. Both parties have returned to negotiations under mediation, though a formal return-to-work timeline remains uncertain pending further consultation with union bases.
