A strike in 10 West Flemish stores was stopped by the Delhaize management with police and bailiffs

In ten West Flemish Delhaize stores on Saturday morning, trade unionists prevented customers from making purchases. That is until 11 o’clock in the morning, because after that the picket was canceled by bailiffs and police officers by court order.

Pay a fine of 1,000 euros per day

Union activists were no longer allowed to stop customers from making their purchases and risked a fine of €1,000 a day.

This was the case at Sint-Pieters Bruges, among others. The court order received there by Wouter Parmentier, the union representative for ACV Food and Services, applies to seven branches in West Flemish. In addition to the three stores in Bruges, there are branches in Blankenberge, Ypres, Nukhe-Heste and Ostend. The Parmentier maker is not allowed to set foot in any of those stores at this time. A similar order also applies in the south of the province, which means that it counts for all 12 branches in West Flanders that come under fire.

Any actions in the future?

ACV’ers see two possible options for the future: Either management reverses its decision to franchise all Delhaize stores to independent operators or employees must receive guarantees after the acquisition. “Then we talk about job guarantees, good schedules, and the same pay,” Parmentier explains. “We hope to hear from you soon, if not, we will plan further action,” it seemed.