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22. 04. 09. - 11:00

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22. 04. 09. - 11:00

Parishes could do work of post offices

By Thomas Hochwarter

Austrian Post AG is considering an unusual option as part of its current cost-cutting measures: making churches post offices.

After the announcement that the post will close 33 branches in Styria, the company is looking for so-called "post partners" to replace them in order to arrange continuation of its services all over the country. "Post partners" are shops that do some of the postal service’s work.

The post is currently negotiating with the Catholic Church in Styria, it emerged yesterday (Tues).

Georg Plank, a spokesman for Graz-Seckau diocese, said that communication platforms would be lost if post offices closed down, especially in small towns and rural areas. Elderly and disabled people would suffer the most from such developments, he explained. The church, however, possessed a dense, comprehensive network, he added.

Plank said it remained to be seen who would take over which roles in churches in question: "There are many enthusiastic volunteers in many parishes who could do it."

Plank said the church would bow out if grocery stores or service stations applied to become the "post partner" in a town to avoid a competitive situation.

Austrian Post AG is positive about the suggestion. Company spokesman Michael Homola said: "There are no strong arguments against this option."

The idea, however, is still in the discussion stage.

Last year, an internal document of the postal service’s board of directors leaked to the press, indicating bosses were planning to sack around 9,000 workers over the next few years.

Talks with the government calmed down the situation and prevented strikes, but dozens of post offices in all provinces have nevertheless been closed. Some of them have already been replaced by "post partners".

Austrian Times

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