The game is played hard between Delhaize unions and management. This morning’s ordinary works council was immediately canceled after trade unionists were met at the door by a large group of security officers. The management ordered everyone to be searched and kept indoors. “We are treated like criminals,” says ACV Puls.
Monthly consultations are held between some employee representatives and the Delhaize management at the head office in Asse. This morning’s ordinary works council was therefore separate from the social consultation that will take place tomorrow about the plans for the privatization of 128 stores. Last week, the first of three special works councils discussed this, but it ended in a fizzle after barely fifteen minutes.
When union representatives tried to enter the building this morning, they were immediately searched. The supermarket chain had gathered “a large group” of security officers to keep the peace. The guards also remained in the conference room, much to the dismay of the unions. “We asked the management if they could leave the meeting, but they did not want to let them go,” says Wouter Parmentier of ACV Puls. “We don’t want to have conversations like that. Like we’re criminals.” The socialist trade union BBTK also said it was “very disgusted”. “The management is playing with fire,” it says in a press release.
9,000 employees
For almost two weeks there has been massive protest among the employees of the Delhaize branches. Last Tuesday, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the headquarters to express their displeasure. The management promises that the wages and working conditions of all 9,000 employees can be maintained if they work for an independent operator, but the staff calls that a lying plan. No buses are expected for tomorrow’s special works council, but the atmosphere will be bitter anyway.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.