The works council of the Zalando logistics center in Erfurt, which is threatened with closure, accuses the board of directors of passing up an offer for talks. After handing over 1,250 cards with concerns and demands from staff members and their relatives in Berlin last week, the employee representatives suggested a meeting without lawyers and advisors, the works council explained. It’s about “resolving the deadlock and ending the uncertainty that is grueling for the workforce.”
The works council’s official request remained unanswered. From the works council’s perspective, the company chose the path of one-sided communication by publishing a letter from co-board member David Schröder to the workforce in which he again advocated the establishment of a conciliation board.
Zalando initially did not comment on the allegations.
Works council feels provoked
“This approach is deeply disappointing and marks a new low in communication between the works council and management,” explains works council leader Tony Krause. He spoke of a provocation. The works council is defending itself against the establishment of a conciliation body before the Thuringian State Labor Court.
In the recent works council election, the committee was confirmed in office with almost unchanged composition and a high voter turnout. The works council viewed this as a “clear mandate and broad approval of its colleagues for its current course”.
Zalando wants to close the Erfurt logistics center, with which the online fashion retailer grew up, in September. This would mean that all 2,700 employees in Erfurt would lose their jobs. The conflict has been simmering since the beginning of the year, and there have now been two works meetings – most recently without management representatives – as well as a demonstration by employees and supporters in Erfurt.
