Makro CEO Vincent Nolf is surprised that the stores are closed. “The three union factions have accepted the invitation to negotiate,” he said. “There is dialogue. We are surprised that two stores have been closed.”
According to Nolf, it would be actions “on individual initiative”. Management sees it more as a local problem than as a reaction to the savings plans. He points out, for example, the social conflict that has been ongoing in Machelen for some time.
Makro’s management announced a week ago that it will not renew 100 to 200 temporary contracts in the coming year and is implementing a series of changes in the six stores (Deurne, Eke, Machelen, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Alleur and Lodelinsart). For example, there is the introduction of self-scan checkouts and a simplification of the internal organizational structure. The unions said they were not necessarily against the plan, but they wanted to be able to negotiate it.
There have been strikes in several stores since the announcement of the savings plan.
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