UPS to cut more than 500 jobs in Belgium, union says
The US transport and delivery group UPS plans to cut up to 525 jobs in Belgium. Management made the announcement on Tuesday during a works council meeting, the Christian trade union ACV reports.
In a brief statement, UPS said it would not comment on “speculation”. The group added, however, that it was “constantly exploring ways to improve the customer experience and ensure the continuity of its services, in response to changing market demand”. “As part of this, we are evaluating various options for our operations in Belgium.”
According to ACV secretary Hans Elsen, the company employs around 800 people in Belgium, so the reported cuts represent more than half the workforce. “This affects drivers as well as parcel sorters and staff responsible for customs formalities,” he said.
The vast majority of staff work at Diegem in Flemish Brabant. The company also has a distribution centre in Lummen, in Limburg. “It is not yet clear whether this is also affected,” Elsen said.
According to the union, the volume of parcels handled by UPS has fallen "slightly", but “not to such an extent” as to justify such a drastic restructuring.
Management would like to begin negotiations on a redundancy plan next week, but the unions want to consult among their members first. This meeting will take place on Wednesday.
“It’s appalling to plunge all these families into uncertainty a week before the summer holidays,” Elsen said. “These aren’t the sort of discussions you have just as everyone is going on holiday.”
UPS management provided a statement to Belga, saying: “As a matter of principle, we do not comment on speculation regarding possible proposals.” However, it emphasised that it remained “fully committed” to offering its Belgian customers “the high level of service and value they expect”.
Staff in Diegem carried out strike action in June 2025, amid concerns about the site’s future.
#FlandersNewsService | The UPS site in Diegem © BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR
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