If the management of Mestdagh wanted to be “reassuring” by not announcing “no restructuring or closure” of its points of sale, the unions nevertheless remain “skeptical about future working conditions”, confides to the Belga agency Myriam Delmée , Setca. And for good reason: the transition to franchising would lead to a change in joint commission for employees of franchised stores in Mestdagh.
The latter would no longer benefit from joint committee 202, but from joint committee 202.01. “Ultimately, this would lead to a 20 to 25% reduction in salary conditions,” laments the trade unionist.
On the management side, it is said that for the staff, nothing will change since the employees are covered by the collective agreement (CCT) 32bis, which provides for the resumption of the transferred workers under the same conditions as those granted by the previous employer. “Why should we go under franchise if the working conditions remain the same? asks Ms. Delmée.
Green light from the Belgian competition authority
Two extraordinary works councils are scheduled for January 12 and 24. The trade unions hope to receive more details on the new working conditions.
The announcement of the takeover by the “Les Mousquetaires” group, via the Intermarché brand, of the Mestdagh company dates back to March. The Belgian competition authority gave the green light in November. The new complex is spread over 163 stores, including the 86 stores formerly stamped Carrefour by Mestdagh, and more than 225,000 square meters. According to Intermarché, the combined turnover amounts to 1.432 billion euros and the market share reaches 12.4% in Wallonia and Brussels.