Dermagne: “Delhaize seems to have forgotten about social dialogue” | Interior

The social dialogue between the management and the trade unions of Delhaize is not getting off the ground. Minister Demagne criticized the chain’s management for not investigating alternatives to its plan, he said in parliament. Dermagne also denounced the searches that were carried out earlier this week before the start of the works council.

According to Dermagne, the collective bargaining agreement on which Delhaize relies to justify its promise that the number of jobs and wage conditions will be maintained, is “widely insufficient”. After all, the unions fear serious consequences for employment.

Delhaize announced 170 redundancies at its headquarters last week, but would spread them so that the procedure surrounding the Renault law (which applies to collective redundancies, ed.) could be circumvented, said MP Cécile Cornet (Ecolo). Cornet spoke of a “manifest abuse” of the law. The Green Group therefore proposes to adjust the criteria for starting the procedure.

“If that law is not respected, we will impose sanctions on the chain,” said Dermagne. He added that he had previously asked the social partners to consider amending the Renault law, but their response was “not satisfactory”.

Dermagne believes that a “quality social dialogue” is urgently needed. “It is not normal for the representatives of the staff to be searched before the start of a works council, just as it is not normal for guards to be at the entrance of the meeting room. The unions have shown their responsible behavior and deserve to be respected,” he said.

The minister also emphasized that he has not appointed a social mediator. He must intervene if the social dialogue does not go smoothly. They are available within my administration. But MP Catherine Fonck (Les Engagés) thinks the appointment of a mediator is important. “That guarantees a real social dialogue,” she said.