The union claims that the management is not indexing wages correctly and is threatening to take the case to the labor court.
ACV Puls indicates that it has discovered that the fixed salaries of Krëfel staff and managers are not indexed. This would concern the income of around 160 of the more than 1,400 workers. They would also work overtime without pay. Individual cases are being prepared for the labor court, says union official Michiel Van Opdenbosch.
The management wants to introduce a new salary system, explains the trade unionist. “She wants to remove the bonus on sales. This is a significant sum, on average 200 euros. She offers a slightly higher fixed salary but this does not compensate for the loss of the bonus. A bonus system has also been proposed, but it offers no certainty,” explains Michiel Van Opdenbosch.
The union expects staff to organize spontaneous actions even though it has not yet filed notice. “It’s definitely a possibility,” added Michiel Van Opdenbosch. Further consultations with management are not planned at this time, according to ACV Puls.
Krëfel has 74 stores in Belgium. The chain is owned by Frenchman Boulanger, part of the Mulliez family empire.