The layoffs have started at Delhaize. We were able to obtain a recording that testifies to this. These dismissals are done in part by Teams, ie remotely. A total of 280 people are expected to lose their jobs within the group, due to the plan to franchise all supermarkets.
Yesterday morning in Zellik (Flanders), the discussions between the management and the unions broke down. The same day, employees of the central services of Delhaize learned that their position was abolished. This is the case for the various human resources managers within the stores. An announcement made by videoconference.
Here’s a soundbite:Today, we wanted to give you the information that your job is impacted and that your function will eventually disappear. I’m so sorry to have to tell you like this.”.
It is clearly spreading layoffs for not meeting the prescribed 60 days of the Renault law
In total, 280 positions are eliminated at the Delhaize headquarters. Of these, 33 positions are occupied by employees on fixed-term contracts. “It is the support service, essentially at the level of human resources in particular since there will be no more staff to manage. There is therefore no longer any need to have people who provide support for staff management And it’s a whole series of other functions. We’re talking about 280 people. It’s already a restructuring in itself”explains Myriam Delmée, the president of SETCa.
Delhaize management announces that 72 new management positions will be created. But in the process, she specifies that workers losing their jobs will not benefit from the Renault law on collective redundancies. The argument used is to say that the layoffs will be spread over more than two months, depending on the takeover of stores by franchisees.
“At the very least, this can be called engineering. If I took it a bit far, I would say it’s cheating the law, because it’s clearly spreading layoffs for not actually responding. the prescribed 60 days which is provided for by the Renault law. From the beginning, we have said that they should notify a collective redundancy and that they should be part of the Renault law, which would oblige them to negotiate and here clearly, they do everything not to register”comments Myriam Delmée.
The unions say they are studying what legal remedies are possible. There should be no new attempts to discuss with management before the end of March.