What does the revision of the Federal Postal Law entail?

The revision, put in consultation by the Federal Council, proposes to replace individual mailboxes with centralized systems for multiple homes or for an entire neighborhood. According to Ofcom, the benefits would be greater efficiency, greater security for correspondence and environmental benefits due to less travel.

Why are unions and pensioners against it?

The Transfair union talks about a worsening of the service for the population and a real risk of job losses. The Federation of Pensioners' Associations highlights the difficulties for the elderly and disabled, who may have trouble reaching centralised boxes, especially in adverse weather conditions.

When will the outcome of the consultation be known?

Responses to the consultation will be collected by mid-October. At that point, the positions of the different actors will be known and the future of the project will be better understood. The Post Office, for now, has not taken a position.

Centralized Bucalettere: Elderly people and trade unions arise (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 7 August 2026

Traditional mailboxes on a residential street in Lugano, Ticino

The revision of the Federal Postal Law proposes centralized boxes. Transfair Trade Union and Federation of Critical Pensioners.

Context

In a nutshell

Centralized mailboxes for multiple homes or neighborhoods
Proposal in the revision of the Federal Postal Law
Transfair: worsening service and job risk
Retirement federation: difficult for the elderly and disabled

What: Revision of the Federal Postal Law
Who: Federal Council, Transfair union, Federation of pensioners
Where: Switzerland, with impacts also in Ticino
When: Consultation in progress, responses by mid-October
Context: Centralized system for multiple homes or neighborhoods

The Federal Council has put under consultation a revision of the Federal Postal Law which envisages, among other ideas, the replacement of individual mailboxes with centralized systems for multiple homes or even for an entire neighbourhood. The proposal, reported by CH Media, immediately triggered bad moods, especially among unions and pensioners' associations.

The Transfair union was among the first to speak out critically. Nadia Ghisolfi, head of Transfair's southern sector, told Ticinonews: "It is definitely a worsening of the service for the population, but also for the staff, with additional pressure and a real risk of job losses. We see it very negatively. "

According to Ofcom, the advantages would be greater efficiency, greater security for correspondence and environmental benefits due to fewer trips.

Operational details

The proposal to centralize mailboxes touches an aspect that for border crossers and Ticino commuters is closer than it seems. Those who live in Ticino and work in Switzerland with a G permit know well the importance of a reliable postal service: bills, tax documents, correspondence from the authorities. If the system becomes centralized, everyone's habits change, not just the elderly.

The Transfair union highlighted two concrete risks: on the one hand the worsening of the service for the population, on the other the pressure on personnel and the risk of job losses. For those who work in the postal sector in Ticino, perhaps on the border, this is an issue that directly affects the workplace.

The Federation of Pensioners spoke of a downsizing of the public service. For those with reduced mobility, the journey to a centralised box can become a daily obstacle, especially in winter with snow and ice, or in summer with the heat. President Bea Heim stressed that universal service must be geared to the needs of all, not just the operational needs of the Post Office.

What changes in practice

Today, every home has its own letterbox underneath the house. With the reform, we would move to a centralized system for multiple homes or an entire neighborhood. This means:

Longer distances to collect mail
Possible difficulties for those with bulky packages

Useful planning tools

To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.

Key points

If the proposal goes through, what can you do? For now, the ball is at the consultation. The Federal Council will collect the answers until mid-October. Anyone can participate, even border workers, through trade associations or directly.

If you work in the postal sector in Ticino, the Transfair union is the reference point to follow the evolution and make your voice heard. If you are a user, you can report your observations to the Federation of Pensioners' Associations or directly to Ofcom during the consultation phase.

Next steps

1. Follow the news: in mid-October the collected positions will be known 2. If you are a postal employee, please contact the Transfair union 3. If you have mobility difficulties, assert your reasons through the associations

Meanwhile, for those who work in Switzerland, you should also keep an eye on the practical aspects of your situation. If you are a frontier worker and want to check your net salary, use our calcolatore fiscale. For those who are thinking of moving to Ticino, the guida sul costo della vita can help you do the math.

Source: ticinonews.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the revision of the Federal Postal Law entail?: The revision, put in consultation by the Federal Council, proposes to replace individual mailboxes with centralized systems for multiple homes or for an entire neighborhood. According to Ofcom, the benefits would be greater efficiency, greater security for correspondence and environmental benefits due to less travel.
Why are unions and pensioners against it?: The Transfair union talks about a worsening of the service for the population and a real risk of job losses. The Federation of Pensioners' Associations highlights the difficulties for the elderly and disabled, who may have trouble reaching centralised boxes, especially in adverse weather conditions.
When will the outcome of the consultation be known?: Responses to the consultation will be collected by mid-October. At that point, the positions of the different actors will be known and the future of the project will be better understood. The Post Office, for now, has not taken a position.