2023-04-22 06:17:06
Friday followingnoon, the day before the conciliation meeting, Delhaize employees were quite surprised by logging on shortly before 5 p.m. On the corporate intranet appeared a video. Not just any! A message from CEO Xavier Piesvaux. The one who announced, on March 7, the franchise plan to the unions, before responding to numerous requests from the media. Since then it has been radio silence. The invitations to come and explain themselves on the TV sets have not, however, failed. It was therefore with great surprise and curiosity that Delhaize employees discovered this video and the message sent by their boss.
Six weeks where uncertainty, perhaps even frustration may have existed.
The video is nine minutes long. In front of a somewhat empty shelf, including a small plant, a terrestrial globe and the brand’s logo, Xavier Piesvaux talks regarding Delhaize’s future plan for, he says, “share my vision on the journey we have been on for the past few weeks“. “I think I owe you thathe continues, following these six weeks where uncertainty, perhaps even frustration, may have existed“. The CEO of Delhaize recalls that the franchise plan aims to guarantee the future of the company because, he underlines, “the results of our supermarkets have been in constant decline in recent years“So the solution, for him, is through affiliate stores.”Our affiliate network is growing in sales, market share and profitability for Delhaize but also for individual affiliates“While, Xavier Piesvaux points out, it’s the exact opposite for integrated supermarkets. For him, success lies in the power of entrepreneurship which allows local anchoring, a relationship of trust with customers and products premises.
Concerning the fear of job losses, Xavier Piesvaux declares that “all the employees of the supermarkets concerned having a contract with Delhaize, keep their jobs and continue their career with the future affiliate. They also retain all of their current salary and working conditions during the transition, with no time limit for open-ended contracts.“. The CEO of Delhaize then discusses the threatened positions at the headquarters in Zellik, ensuring that the number of departures is limited as much as possible.
In addition to the right to strike, we believe that the right to work must also be respected.
Xavier Piesvaux then speaks regarding the current situation. He says there’s nothing unexpected regarding the reactions. He then calls on employees to do everything to guarantee a future for the company’s activity. Regarding the protest movements and the pickets in front of the supermarkets, the CEO of Delhaize responds in clear terms: “In addition to the right to strike, we believe that the right to work must also be respected. This is why we will continue to guarantee access to our stores.” Xavier Piesvaux then insists on the need for a serene and constructive dialogue with the social partners, before concluding with these words: “I am 100% convinced that the Future Plan is the only option to guarantee a sustainable future for our company, our stores, our partners and our employees.“.
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