Protestors against Delhaize's decision to franchise self-owned stores have turned to a new means of disruption: motor oil.
Almost two months ago, the management of Belgian supermarket chain Delhaize announced that it would franchise the 128 stores it manages directly. This sparked mass protests with various locations remaining closed doors for days as a result of tensions between trade unions and management. One union filed a criminal complaint and thousands took to the streets in anger.
Strike posts were banned by the Dutch-speaking court in Brussels on 19 April, following weeks of shop closures. As a result, some protestors are turning to more creative means of disrupting stores.
Activists from the 'dHELLaize' collective poured motor oil in front of five Brussels shops during the night from Wednesday to Thursday, rendering the entrances to the shops at Chazal, Hankar, Molière, Fort Jaco and De Fré inaccessible.
Blocking supply chains
The group, which a few weeks ago painted over the logo of four branches in Brussels, said the action was a response to "the contempt of the owners" and "condemns the judiciary siding with multinational Ahold Delhaize by attacking the right to strike."
"If strikes are banned, then the entrances become unusable," the collective insisted.
Meanwhile, a partial blockade erected at Delhaize's distribution centre in Zellik on Wednesday afternoon saw trade union activists only allow four trucks each hour to leave. This had a major impact on logistics. The blockade was lifted at around 09:00 on Thursday morning after Delhaize called in a bailiff and local police.
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On Thursday, Delhaize has itself chosen to keep stores at Mons and Flagey (Brussels Ixelles district) closed until Tuesday next week for safety reasons. It explained that "acts of vandalism" and the need to protect "the safety of employees and customers" were the reasons for the closures. All other stores in the country will be open.
On Tuesday 2 May, management and unions are expected to sit down again to discuss the next steps. It is hoped will bring an end to the deadlock in social dialogue.
