TNT ready to deliver partnership

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 17 Dec 2008, 14:49

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a3648790-cbda ... 07658.html

"We're good to go," said Peter Bakker, chief executive of TNT, as the Dutch mail group was first out of the blocks to register an interest in becoming Royal Mail's minority partner. It already has a body of knowledge about the UK group, writes John Willman .

In 2001, TNT began eight months of negotiations with the British government to take over the mail business of what was then known as Consignia. Talks broke down in March 2002 amid government unease about foreign ownership and Dutch concerns about reaction from the trades unions.

This time, Mr Bakker is confident that exploratory talks can be productive. "The Hooper report and Lord Mandelson's response for the first time shows the political will to find the solutions needed to make improvements in Royal Mail," said Mr Bakker.

He said there had been no indication of the size of the stake a successful bidder would be offered or the likely price, but added: "A substantial minority stake is our aspiration."

Although the TNT group operates mail businesses in seven countries outside the Netherlands, Royal Mail would mark its first involvement with a former monopoly.

TNT wanted a long-term partnership, said Mr Bakker: "Our core business is in mail and parcels. We would stay in Royal Mail for the long term, to invest in its future and bring our knowledge, technology and change management to modernise the business."

He is not put off by the strong opposition expected from the Communication Workers Union. which is implacably against any private sector involvement.

"All parties need to study carefully what Mr Hooper has said. He has a good grasp of the challenges and the language is quite strong. Lord Mandelson is also clear about the need for decisive action to save Royal Mail," said Mr Bakker.

"I just hope the unions look at the analysis and think whether partnership is such a bad thing."

Yahoorsur · Post by **Yahoorsur** » 17 Dec 2008, 14:52

We're good to go," said Peter Bakker, chief executive of TNT,I just hope the unions look at the analysis and think whether partnership is such a bad thing."

Whats Dutch for , 'I'm cutting off'?

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 17 Dec 2008, 15:13

Yahoorsur wrote:We're good to go," said Peter Bakker, chief executive of TNT,I just hope the unions look at the analysis and think whether partnership is such a bad thing."

Whats Dutch for , 'I'm cutting off'?

Ik snijd af

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 17 Dec 2008, 15:34

Sorry Boss, but I can't work over today, what do you want me to do.

Droevige Werkgever, maar ik kan niet over vandaag werken, wat u me willen doen.

Sorry Boss, I have somewhere to go so I can't accept your offer of overtime.

Droevige Werkgever, heb ik ergens te gaan zodat kan ik niet uw aanbieding van overwerk goedkeuren.

Hello Boss, sorry I will not be able to complete today, do you want me to bring it back or should I leave it in a safe place.

Hello leid, droevig zal ik niet kunnen vandaag voltooien, u wil me achter het brengen of indien ik het in een veilige plaats verlaten.

Post by **dvbuk55** » 17 Dec 2008, 16:13

It doesn't take you lot long does it - remember Kent Brockman from the SImpsons?

More to the point should be what is Dutch for "F*ck you, you finger dyking tw*t"

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 17 Dec 2008, 16:26

dvbuk55 wrote:It doesn't take you lot long does it - remember Kent Brockman from the SImpsons?

More to the point should be what is Dutch for "F*ck you, you finger dyking tw*t"

F*ck u, u vinger die tw*t dyking...........

Post by **dvbuk55** » 17 Dec 2008, 16:30

disgruntledpostie1 wrote:
dvbuk55 wrote:It doesn't take you lot long does it - remember Kent Brockman from the SImpsons?

More to the point should be what is Dutch for "F*ck you, you finger dyking tw*t"
F*ck u, u vinger die tw*t dyking...........

Priceless - I'm already practising it

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 17 Dec 2008, 19:34

If you dutchy boy's thought it was bad in 1944 don't come knocking on our door we are closed to your buisness interest's and that of your partner's :mfo They don't like it up'em do they!.

Post by **plodsie** » 18 Dec 2008, 03:25

TNT delivering???? Yer arse!

Interesting that they are asking the CWU to be considerate... are they considering allowing their own staff in the UK to join the said union?

The simple truth is that TNT love this country, it loves it's employment laws and it's anti-union laws. They are able to get away with a lot more than in their own country.

One question though.... the Dutch postal service is liberalized in January, should RM wish to embark on competition there then surely there would be a conflict of interest where TNT will be in competition with a company it partly owns....

boardie · Post by **boardie** » 18 Dec 2008, 05:42

From their point of view is this really such a good idea? Have they considered the effect of this 'tie-up' on their competitors? Are DHL et al going to be wildly enthusiastic about handing over their DSA to a company that is a third owned by their bitterest rival? TNT will get to see exactly who DHL etc customers are, have access to RM's books and see volumes, prices and all the rest of it. Nothing will be confidential. If I were another mail operator I would already be laying plans to circumnavigate this potential Trojan horse in the parlour of the company that delivered my mail. This could actually lead to a further reduction in the volume of mail handled by RM - assuming there has already been one.