A handful of Aldi stores in Belgium were unable to open their doors on Friday morning, due to strike at the chain's Wallonia distribution centres in Vaux-sur-Sûre and Gembloux.
Union picket lines were set up in front of the Vaux-Sur-Sûre and Gembloux distribution centres on Friday morning, according to the National Employees' Centre (CNE).
For over two years, social negotiations between Aldi management and unions have been stalled. In May unions submitted a list of demands to the management of the supermarket chain, including a four-day work week, additional contractual hours for involuntary part-time workers, adjusted workloads, sufficient replacement teams, ergonomic store equipment and shelving, and a better evaluation of administrative staff.
The CNE union has accused Aldi management of consistently ignoring these staff demands. "Aldi's management deflects workers' recurring demands by playing off regional and national decision-making levels against each other," the CNE said.
"Many issues are on the table, but there's no real progress," it added. Another national meeting is scheduled for 15 January, despite the union's call for an earlier meeting to resolve the situation and avoid conflict.
A few stores closed
Aldi management assured customers that nearly all stores are open on Friday with only a few exceptions. They emphasised that customers can still do their year-end shopping.
Union sources were unable to specify the exact number and location of the stores closed on Friday morning. However, they highlighted that open stores are operating with reduced staff and a limited selection of goods.
In Vaux-sur-Sûre, around seventy employees are participating in picketing outside the depot, with the blockade expected to last all day.
In a statement, Aldi management said it "regrets" the action while negotiations are still ongoing with unions. "A new negotiation session is planned for January. In the meantime, several concrete proposals are already on the table. We continue to call for constructive negotiations in the interest of both staff and customers. To give these negotiations the best chance, we will not go into the details of the discussions," it said.
The CNE has warned that if management refuses to make significant progress by Christmas, further actions may follow after 15 January.
