Negotiations to end the strike at second-hand chain and non-profit organisation Les Petits Riens have fallen through. Workers say they will "not give up" despite pleas from management to "end the deadlock".
Employees of Les Petits Riens have been protesting outside the Anderlecht sorting centre since Friday 15 November after 21 workers were dismissed. The action has expanded to other Les Petits Riens outlets in Brussels.
Talks between trade unions, management and the Economic Ministry fell through on Monday evening. On Tuesday, management appealed to workers on strike to "cease the action."
"Over the past few days, management has stepped up its efforts to maintain an open and constructive dialogue with staff representatives," it stated in a press release. "Representatives continue to demand that the recent redundancies be cancelled as a precondition to any discussions."
"Given the current crisis in the sector and the financial losses incurred by Les Petits Riens in recent years, this demand unfortunately cannot be met. The organisation must return to economic viability as quickly as possible if it is to be able to ensure the continuity of its missions in the fight against poverty."
'Total lack of empathy'
Trade unions CNE and Setca have since retaliated, stating that "the workers won't give up." They noted that they will continue to oppose the wave of "subjective and arbitrary" dismissals.
As a "social economic actor," Les Petits Riens aims to fight against poverty by channeling all of its income towards social projects. It also employs around 500 people from marginalised backgrounds every year.
Management is calling on the strike to end "so it can continue to honour its social and environmental mission."
CNE and Setca say the redundancies undermine this mission. "No arrangements have been made for the dismissed employees, and there is a total lack of empathy for the targeted staff," they stated.
