“You cannot equate the postal delivery of the press with the delivery of soap or pies!” says Sergiy Tomilenko at trade unions meeting

When considering the postal tariffs for the reception and delivery of Ukrainian newspapers for 2024, it is necessary to take into account mass complaints received on the hotline of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), appeals from editors of regional and local media, and the contribution of print media to the fight against hostile propaganda.

This was emphasized by the President of the NUJU, Sergiy Tomilenko, during yesterday’s meeting at the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, which was attended by representatives of the Federal Labor Union and Director General of the Ukrposhta joint-stock company [state postal service], Ihor Smilianskyi.

During the meeting, a sharp discussion took place regarding the expediency of changing the approach to the formation of Ukrposhta‘s tariffs for registration of subscriptions and delivery of newspapers to subscribers, under which state regulation of these tariffs is reduced. They discussed the draft order of the Ministry of Community Development, Territories, and Infrastructure on the approval of the mentioned tariffs.

“The NUJU is convinced that during the war, it is not advisable to weaken the state regulation of tariffs, and the amount of postal services itself should not increase sharply,” stressed Sergiy Tomilenko.

Another position is taken by Ihor Smilianskyi, who believes that changes in tariffs are a component of his general strategy of “reforming” Ukrposhta. He replied to criticisms about the mass dismissal of mail carriers that most were offered to switch to full-time work. According to him, about 90% refused because they wanted to receive a low salary in order to have subsidies and time to work in the household. According to Ihor Smilianskyi, it is more profitable for mail carriers.

Mr. Smilianskyi insisted on a purely economic approach to the delivery of the press. He convinces that the new tariff will be more transparent and more convenient for the publishers themselves (which, by the way, the publishers themselves categorically do not agree with). According to him, existing problems with the delivery of newspapers to subscribers are reduced to violations and errors on the ground.

In turn, the head of NUJU, Sergiy Tomilenko, emphasized the systematic nature of such violations and the fact that the delivery of the press is of state and social importance because, for many people, newspapers are the only source of quality verified information.

“You cannot equate the delivery of the press with the delivery of soap or pies! Ukrainians, especially in wartime, should have access to the Ukrainian press!” said Sergiy Tomilenko. “Indeed, there is a global tendency to decrease the volume of printed media. But in Ukraine today, they are often the only available means of mass information and a tool for combating enemy propaganda!

Sergiy Tomilenko noted that the journalistic community is ready for compromises, but it is impossible to ignore the uproar caused by the so-called “reformation” of Ukrposhta among editors, journalists, and readers. This is evidenced by the hundreds (as of now, about 800) of appeals that the NUJU receives to the hotline for the postal delivery of press.

On behalf of the NUJU, Sergiy Tomilenko called on trade unions not to agree to the draft order of the Ministry of Community Development, Territories, and Infrastructure and on Ukrposhta to respond to the hotline data. To this, Ihor Smilianskyi immediately declared that “the size of the tariff will be as it is (which is provided for in the draft order, – Ed.) or there will be no tariff at all” and emphasized that “the subscription will not be opened if the new tariff is not approved.”

Sergiy Tomilenko once again called for the creation of a joint commission of representatives of concerned parties to study ways out of the situation. In the meantime, announce the subscription for 2024 at current rates.

At the suggestion of the head of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, Hryhorii Osovyi, the final decision regarding support for the draft order of the Ministry of Community Development, Territories, and Infrastructure on approval of the tariff for registration of subscriptions and delivery of printed media to subscribers has been postponed to Thursday, September 14. At the same time, the NUJU appeals to the management of Ukrposhta with a request to provide a proper rationale for the tariff.

NUJU Information Service