“We are faced with a fait accompli. This completely puts the union organizations out of the game,” denounced Sandra Antenucci, permanent secretary for the CSC Food and Services. A feeling of powerlessness and injustice shared by Stéphane Piron: “we were unable to put forward our arguments to try to reduce the number of layoffs”.
19 certain closures but a lot of uncertainty for the others
During this works council, management confirmed that the social damage will be serious.
Of the 39 integrated stores (managed directly by Lunch Garden), 6 will close. But of the 27 which are expected to continue their activities, 9 will be franchised. And there appears a first concern: will there be franchise candidates? If this is not the case, the fate of these restaurants will also be sealed…
The damage is also heavy for restaurants that are already franchised: out of 22 restaurants, only 9 of them can continue their activity. But conditions are changing…
“In addition to the fact that Lunch Garden must find new candidates for the restaurants they want to franchise, they will also establish new contracts for those who will remain,” indicates Stéphane Piron. And the conditions are therefore changing: until now, if management rested on the franchisee, it was Lunch Garden who ensured the investments. It’s over, it will be up to the franchisee to do so.
In these conditions of costs which will increase significantly, it will undoubtedly be difficult for these franchisees to retain all of their staff, fears federal secretary Setca. That some people simply throw in the towel cannot be ruled out either.
30% of staff laid off in restaurants which continue
For integrated restaurants which continue their activity, it is nevertheless a cold shower since 30% of the staff will lose their jobs. And at head office, 20 people out of 51 are falling by the wayside.
“It’s difficult to precisely assess the number of people at the moment,” says Stéphane Piron. “But we already estimate that 400 to 500 people will be affected by layoffs. Because among the staff, there are many part-timers, 24-hour-week contracts which concern single women.”
-According to the CEO, Stephan Brouwers, around 300 workers out of the 600 at the brand could hope to keep their jobs. But these figures do not take into account franchised restaurants.
At this stage, since it is a bankruptcy, the staff will not be entitled to any compensation. “And the buyer has already said that he will not assume any social liabilities. But we will still try to discuss…”
This Monday, management asked integrated restaurants to remain closed. It is the curator who will dictate the tempo for a gradual reopening. The franchisees had not been informed of anything by management.
Here is the list of restaurants affected by the closure and the transition to franchising
Integrated restaurants that will close: Froyennes, Inno Rue Neuve, Messancy, St Denijs-Westrem, St Kruis Brugge, Wilrijk.
Franchise restaurants that will close: Waterloo, Auderghem, Evere, Inno Meer, Flémalle, Libramont, Wépion, Berchem St Agathe, Gent, Hasselt, Hannut, Edegem, Arlon.
Restaurants that will become franchised if a candidate is found: Ans, Boncelles, Gosselie, Koortrijk noord, Kraainem, Rocourt, Turnhout, Waterloo Mont Saint-Jean, Olen.
Integrated restaurants which continue but with 30% fewer staff: Bierges, Bomerée, Brugge B Park, Drogenbos, Fléron, Haine-Saint-Pierre, Herstal, Jemappes, Korbeek-LO, Kuringen, Lier, Marche-en-Famenne, Mons, Ninove, Nivelles, Jambes, Oostakker, Schoten, Sint- Maarten, Tournai Bastion, Webbekom, Wijnegem, Zemst.
