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POSTAL SERVICE

PostNord loses state support and obligation to deliver to all of Denmark

The government and several opposition parties have agreed to make changes to postal services that will see PostNord lose its obligation to deliver post to all of Denmark. Instead, market forces and competition will be relied on to ensure that all parts of the country can receive post.

Postnord
The deal means that millions of kroner of annual state support for PostNord will be cut. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix

Of all shipping services that operate in Denmark, only PostNord has the obligation to deliver post to all parts of the country, but this will be revoked.  

Although PostNord’s obligation to offer national coverage will be revoked, the transport ministry will continually monitor postal services and step in if there is not sufficient coverage. The deal means that millions of kroner of annual state support for PostNord will be cut.  

READ ALSO: Why Denmark’s postal services could undergo major change  

The parties that will join the government in voting for the new postal laws are the Liberal Alliance, Conservatives, Social Liberals, Alternative and Nye Borgelige (New Right).

Delivering post to the entirety of Denmark has given PostNord repeated annual losses in recent years, with the state supporting the company to the tune of hundreds of millions of kroner.

“It’s good news that there is now broad agreement on a postal law suitable for current times which encompasses our political desire for uniform prices across the country and free choice of letter and parcel delivery services for the public in all of Denmark,” Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen said in a press statement.

Concerns have been raised that the deal would result in a lack of post coverage in remote parts of the country. The Denmark Democrats walked out of talks to back the new post law earlier in the week, citing this issue.

“It’s been crucial for us in these negotiations that all Danes in all of the country will still be able to send and receive letters,” Social Democrats transport spokesman Thomas Monberg said in the statement.

The libertarian party Liberal Alliance praised the decision to entrust the post to market forces.

“This is the end of sending tax revenues after a delivery obligation which the market can fulfil without any problem. Danes can now look forward to others doing it better. I’m in no doubt that this will give a better service for the right prices,” the party’s transport spokesperson Jens Meilvang said.

The deal includes a special arrangement for small islands which the parties say will improve postal services in such remote locations. Investment will be made in post infrastructure on the islands to facilitate free choice of services for residents, according to the agreement.

Air mail and post facilities for visually impaired people will continue to receive state support. The changes to the post laws will come into effect on January 1st 2024 but with transitional arrangements in place in some areas.

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POSTAL SERVICE

UPDATE: Danish PostNord service resumes work after strike

Staff at the Taastrup terminal of Danish postal service PostNord have resumed work after a strike which the company said could affect deliveries.

UPDATE: Danish PostNord service resumes work after strike

Staff at PostNord’s Taastrup terminal resumed work on Thursday afternoon, after striking from Wednesday evening.

The company confirmed the strike in a statement earlier on Thursday, saying it could result in delayed deliveries in the coming days. Following the resumption of work by sorting staff, PostNord said that, as of Friday, it was working to remove the backlog. Letter deliveries could be delayed by a single day, the company said.

“I can confirm that a strike began yesterday, in breach of the collective bargaining agreement, at our post terminal at Taastrup,” PostNord director of communications Andreas Brethvad said in Thursday’s statement.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: What is a Danish collective bargaining agreement?

“The strike in question is among staff who handle letters,” he said.

The company was unable to comment on the reason for staff taking the action, saying that was a matter for their trade union, 3F.

Any delays to deliveries may be relevant news for British residents in Denmark who plan to vote by post in the upcoming UK General Election.

READ ALSO: The key deadlines Brits in Europe need to know to vote in the UK election

When voting by post, you will be sent a ballot paper which will need to reach the polls by polling day, July 4th, or ask for a proxy vote, where a UK-based voter you trust can vote on your behalf.

You can also travel back to the UK on election day and vote in person in the constituemncy where you’re registered, but unless you just happened to be planning a visit home at that time anyway, it’s probably more convenient to apply for one of the two above options.

If you apply for a proxy vote online you’ve got a bit more time, but you’ll need to submit your application for this by 5pm on June 26th.

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