In the conflict over the closure of the large Zalando logistics center in Erfurt with around 2,700 employees, a conciliation board must be convened. This was decided by the Erfurt Labor Court. The online fashion retailer had applied for conciliation and appealed to the court.
The labor court justified its decision by saying that, in its opinion, the employer had declared that the negotiations with the works council regarding a social plan and reconciliation of interests had failed. Zalando argued that the attempt to set up a timetable for negotiations would not have been possible in the foreseeable future.
Former State Secretary to head arbitration body
The conciliation board should consist of four assessors who represent the two parties. According to court information, the former judge and State Secretary for Justice Josef Molkenbur from Saxony-Anhalt was appointed chairman. According to Erfurt labor judge Philipp Mesters, a complaint can be lodged against the decision with the Thuringian State Labor Court.
The failure of the negotiations was controversial between the company and the works council. The works council actually initially wanted to find out from the employer detailed reasons for the planned complete abandonment of the Erfurt site. Around 50 people, including employee representatives, took part in a protest in front of the courthouse.
Planned for logistics center in September
Labor law provides for conciliation bodies to act as arbitration bodies in companies when the works council and the employer cannot agree on important issues.
The Dax group Zalando has grown large in recent years with its logistics location in Erfurt. The company plans to close it at the end of September. This is also criticized by the Thuringian state government. According to the company, the reason for the decision is a realignment of the group’s own Europe-wide logistics network following the takeover of the online fashion retailer About You 2025.
