Management of the Delhaize supermarket chain has announced which stores will be the first to be taken over by independent operators, with 15 supermarkets to be franchised between October and November.
For the first time since late June, the top management of the Delhaize retail chain held a works council and decided that 15 shops will become independent between October and November. This concerns those in Ypres, Izegem, Knokke, Denderleeuw, Grimbergen, Ronse, Deurne (Herentalsebaan), Wilrijk, Hancar, Mutsaard, Boendaal, Flagey, Nivelles, Bouffioux and Rocogne.
"This is an important step for our supermarket employees, our new independent operators, our customers and our suppliers. Together we continue to build a sustainable future for the Delhaize brand," the supermarket's management said.
In total, Delhaize management wants 128 branches to operate with an independent operator.
Confirmation in writing
The independent operators of the 15 shops that will be franchised are already known. To help with the transition, they will be guided and trained by a team of Delhaize experts, the chain's management said. Their reopening as independent Delhaize sites is scheduled between October and November this year.
The staff of the affected supermarkets will keep their employment and current wage and working conditions when the branches are taken over, the management stressed. This will be confirmed in writing to each employee with a confirmation letter signed by Delhaize and by the independent acquirer.
Other accompanying measures will also be retained: employees who transfer with the company will receive a premium of €1,500 gross, which will be increased by €100 per year of seniority. Residual overtime will also carry over as standard. Employees who are long-term sick, progressively resume work after illness or work with medical restrictions will also retain their rights.
Until an independent operator is found for the 128 supermarkets, Delhaize will keep the shops under its own management, a guarantee that applies until at least the end of 2028.
Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
Despite these reassurances, unions fear that staff will have to sacrifice wages and are uncertain about the future, hence the months-long standoff between unions and management.
Widespread strikes took place earlier this year following the decision to franchise stores. Works councils failed to resolve the disagreement between employees and management. "Our discontent is as strong as it was five months ago," said Katrien Degryse, secretary of the socialist trade union BBTK, on Flemish radio on Monday morning.
The union asserts that Delhaize management has taken too long to provide assurances, resulting in a lot of uncertainty among staff. "Management is misleading them and that does not benefit anyone. Some people with more than 35 years of seniority are literally getting sick of this or simply leaving without retirement pay."
Still, the BBTK is keeping the door open. "A lot of damage has already been done but it is never too late. We are pushing for a real consultation because there has never really been one. I hope that people are not too proud to sit around the table as adults and talk about an alternative to the franchise plan."
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According to Delhaize, there is at least one prospective buyer for all independently owned supermarkets and at least two for 90% of them. In the coming months, the retail chain will still announce which additional supermarkets will make the transition to an independent operator.
However, the union of self-employed entrepreneurs UNIZO said that many potential acquirers are dropping out due to "unpalatable" conditions.
Whether new strike actions are imminent is not yet clear.
