Post branch in Fügen: Closure threatens the local care!

Post branch in Fügen: Closure threatens the local care!

in Fügen, the largest municipality in the Zillertal with almost 4,500 inhabitants, a message from Post AG causes excitement: the branch on site could soon be closed. According to meinbezirk.at plans to close a total of 15 branches in Austria, whereby the Fügen branch is considered directly affected. Mayor Dominik Mainusch is concerned about this and questions the postability arguments of the post office.

Post AG classified the branch in Fügen as deficit, but Mainusch sees no conclusive arguments for a closure in the evidence presented. He emphasizes that the economic importance of the post for the community and neighboring regions should not be underestimated. "The procedure of Post AG seems unprofessional and irresponsible to our population," continued Mainusch. However, the closure is not yet final because the application is in the approval process in which the municipality has no right to comment.

a nationwide problem

But the closure in Fügen is part of a larger trend: Post AG plans to close a total of 170 branches by 2028, which corresponds to a reduction of every fifth post office. The closures in Fügen are also part of this comprehensive realignment. CEO Roberto Cirillo leads the decreasing profitability through progressive digitization as the main reason. Last year, Swiss Post recorded a loss of CHF 93 million in its branch network. SRF reports that the post from originally 1323 branches in 2016 to 2028 Will.

Current figures show that the number of letters given in branches fell from 215 million in 2016 to 117 million in 2022. The deposits have also decreased significantly, from 155 million to only 65 million. This presents the post office to continue to offer the legally required services at reasonable locations.

reactions to the plans

The plans for closing the branches are not only important for the municipality of Fügen. The Syndicom union has also referred to the measures as a "clear cut" and criticizes the development as a radical demolition of strategies for stabilizing the branch network. It is expected that up to 700 jobs are eliminated, so that the union is strong for regulation through natural fluctuation. The Social Democratic Party (SP) also sees the plans to endanger basic care, especially in rural areas, and has asked the Federal Council to stop these developments.

The Post AG plans to further develop the remaining branches as service centers and has announced an investment of CHF 100 million in new formats. In the future, the cooperation with postpartren will be expanded, but it remains unclear which branches will be closed.

Mayor Mainusch announces that he is wanting to camp against the closure of the Fügen branch is aware of the limited possibilities. The coming months will be crucial to find out how the Post can reorganize its branch network and meet the needs of the communities.