French postal union voices concern over proposed cuts to La Poste

Postal union representatives have raised concerns about plans to reshape La Poste following a parliamentary report indicating that the traditional letter system is becoming financially unsustainable. 

The report makes 39 recommendations in an attempt to improve the French postal service’s financial viability including slower delivery times, fewer yellow postboxes, and the restructuring of its presence in rural areas. 

Billions of letters fewer 

The reason behind the proposed changes is the decline in traditional mail. Annual letter volumes in France have fallen from 17 billion letters in 2005 to five billion in 2025, a reduction of more than two-thirds. 

Despite the company raising prices in line with regulatory limits set by Arcep (France’s regulator for telecoms and postal services), these increases have not compensated for the loss in volume. 

However, the parliamentary report, which was published earlier this month, states that “these increases have only served to limit the growth of the service's deficit, as the decrease in mail volume inevitably leads to a year-on-year reduction in La Poste's revenue.”

At the same time, the universal postal service obliges La Poste to maintain a nationwide network for collection, sorting and delivery, operating six days a week.

This system remains costly, with figures showing the service running an annual deficit of around €643 million (before state compensation). 

What might be changing

To address this, the report includes 39 recommendations, the most important of which are: 

• Extending the standard delivery time for mail from three to four days from 2028 

• Removing yellow postboxes receiving fewer than five letters per week 

• Reducing or reorganising post office networks in low-traffic areas

• Adjusting tariffs more closely to real delivery costs, especially for urgent mail

In rural areas, however, the proposals have raised concern, as many residents still rely on physical mail services, particularly older people and those with limited access to digital alternatives. 

Union warns of loss of local presence 

Nicolas Galepides, federal secretary of Sud PTT, a trade union representing workers in the postal and telecommunications industries, said the debate should not focus only on the number of letters being delivered. 

He argued that postal workers provide a wider public service because they are often among the few regular visitors to isolated households. 

“The presence of postal workers is important because they are a trusted point of contact,” Mr Galepides told The Connexion. “People open their doors to their postman or postwoman. This relationship is particularly important in rural areas and for vulnerable people.” 

“Even if there were zero letters to deliver, the presence of someone who is a trusted third party would still be essential,” he said.

He added that La Poste’s expansion into banking, insurance and international parcel services was originally intended to help finance its public service obligations. 

“The idea was that activities developed in competitive markets would help support the public service mission,” he said. “The question today is whether that balance is still being maintained.” 

The role of post offices in rural France 

The parliamentary report has also raised questions about the future of smaller post offices and local postal agencies.

Mr Galepides said many rural communities continue to rely on these services, particularly older residents and people with limited access to online services.

He argued that decisions about postal access should involve local communities rather than being based only on financial calculations.

“The question is not only what La Poste needs, but what people need,” he said.

He added that mayors and local representatives have often played a role in maintaining postal services in smaller communities.