More than a hundred employees of distribution company GXO in Tilburg had a work stoppage this afternoon. They are angry because they are not allowed to take their cell phone inside.
“It is not safe to walk in the large distribution center without a telephone. At GXO in the United States there have already been deaths because no one could call 112,” said Edwin Atema of the FNV trade union. Broadcasting Brabant.
The American GXO Logistics is the largest distribution company in the world with branches in numerous places. In Tilburg, where mainly Eastern Europeans work, a mobile phone ban has recently come into effect. The measure was introduced after a fire, according to employees. They then made videos with their telephones on which you could see that there were electricity cables in the extinguishing water.
‘I can’t work quietly’
Karolina Rysziliewicz has a permanent contract with GXO. She likes her job but doesn’t understand the cell phone ban. “I have two sons, ages 10 and 14. One is autistic and the other has epilepsy. I want my phone to keep in touch with my husband,” she says. “Now my mind is always with them and I can’t work quietly.”
Yesterday Rysziliewicz sat down with the union and GXO management. Today, just before the work stoppage, it appeared that GXO wanted to make an exception for employees from Ukraine and for people who have sick in the family; they are allowed to take their phone with them. But the union does not want exceptions.
Safer lockers more secure
The FNV trade union has now proposed to the management to allow everyone to bring a mobile phone for ten days. In the meantime, a definitive solution must be found. GXO refuses that. The company is prepared to better secure the safes in which the telephones are to be placed. Now the devices are sometimes stolen.
The FNV is not satisfied and says that the willingness to strike among the employees is great. The union will also put pressure on GXO through H&M; the clothing company is a major customer of the group. GXO does not comment.
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