Twenty layoffs
The reason for the discontent of the Petits Riens unions comes from the dismissal of around twenty people, the majority of whom concern workers at the Anderlecht sorting center. “The workers’ representatives have been put against the wall without any consultation planned regarding this restructuring plan, which impacts the most precarious workers.”denounce the CNE and Setca.
gullWe are in the context of economic dismissal, which for me is the most unfair thing there is. But the situation of the Petits Riens justifies this effort.”
The general director of the association, Thierry Smets, former CEO of the NewB bank, tells us of his astonishment at this strike picket. “I am quite surprised by the unions’ comments to the extent that we have held two extraordinary works councils. The first in which we outlined the measures we were going to take, and the second in which they were able to give us their feedback and additional questions.indicates Thierry Smets, while adding that he was not able to accede to all the staff’s requests.
“We are in the context of an economic layoff, which is for me the most unfair thing there is. But the situation of the Petits Riens justifies this effort. Since 2018, we have been in loss, we have been recording a loss for a long time structural”he adds, asserting that at the time, the reservations allowed those responsible not to take action.
More sales at Les Petits Riens, which call for more committed purchases
The announcement of the dismissal of twenty employees, which represents five percent of the staff (out of 400 people in total), “constitutes a means of preserving 95% of employment”the general director consoles himself. He adds that this measure should allow the association to get back on its feet. “There is no question of employers in the commercial sector believing they are allowed to apply their neo-liberal vision in the non-commercial sector and we will not give up”denounce the workers’ unions. While their boss claims that “this plan will not be followed by other plans”being convinced that this economic redundancy measure will make it possible to “return to a positive cash situation in 2025, which will allow reserves to be rebuilt.”
