Press Release: UNI and UPU renew and strengthen cooperation agreement

19 December (Berne, Switzerland) – UNI Global Union and the Universal Postal Union have signed a new cooperation agreement which will see the two organizations work more closely together to strengthen ties between workers and employers and safeguard the future of the global postal sector.

The four-year agreement was signed on 10 December at UPU headquarters in Berne by UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki and UNI Global Union General Secretary Christy Hoffman. It commits the organizations to work together to protect and promote postal services amid ongoing postal reform, climate change, digitalization, diversification of services, and the rapid introduction of new technologies.

“This agreement gives postal workers a significant voice in shaping the future of postal services at the global level. At a time of great transformation in post, our collaboration with the UPU ensures that the experience and insight of workers are heard and built into the decisions that will define the future of the sector and its service to communities worldwide”, said Christy Hoffman, UNI General Secretary.

Director General of the UPU, Masahiko Metoki, said:

“Postal services are undergoing profound transformation, driven by digitalization, changing customer needs and the imperative to deliver sustainable and inclusive services. Renewing our cooperation with UNI Global Union reinforces the UPU’s commitment to social dialogue and to ensuring that workers’ perspectives are an integral part of this transition. By working together, we can support postal operators in modernizing their services while safeguarding decent work and strengthening the universal postal service for communities around the world.”

The agreement identifies three over-arching areas of collaboration, aiming to factor in workers’ perspectives to improve the sustainability of the sector. They include:
 

• Development of the universal postal service – the agreement allows for cooperation in reviewing global and national regulatory developments in relation to the universal service obligation, support for regional teamwork, and contribution to discussions on postal policy. UNI will also provide global insights through a survey of postal workers on their needs and expectations for a modern universal service obligation.

• Social and environmental innovation – UNI and UPU will advance joint work on climate action, digital transformation, workplace wellbeing and inclusion. The agreement recognizes that a focus on worker engagement is “critical” to ensuring that workers can fully contribute to the successful modernization of the postal sector, while ensuring that their needs are met in terms of consultation, training, safety and compensation.

• Gender equality – support for the implementation of the UPU’s gender equality and empowerment of women policy for 2026–2029. This work will draw on international labour standards, including the International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 190 on violence and harassment. Joint case studies, policy reviews and public statements are envisioned as part of this effort.

“This agreement cements our long-term partnership with the UPU and brings us closer together around a shared goal of a sustainable, successful and dependable postal service that serves people everywhere”, said Cornelia Berger, Head of Post & Logistics at UNI Global Union.

Cooperation between UNI and UPU will include information exchange, research, development of joint guidelines and capacity-building projects. The two organizations’ secretariats will meet regularly to evaluate progress, update joint projects, and adjust priorities to reflect sector developments.