Unions agree deal to limit compulsory redundancies at Nike
Unions and management at Nike in Antwerp province have reached an agreement on compulsory redundancies as part of changes to the sports company's operations. A maximum of 371 people will lose their jobs, instead of the 736 jobs that were initially at risk.
In March, management announced its intention to make 411 people redundant as part of a streamlining of its logistics organisation and a phasing out of the weekend shift at its site in Laakdal. A further announcement was made in April regarding 325 more posts affected on weekday shifts.
Following discussions during the information and consultation phase in the works council, unions say they have now limited the maximum compulsory redundancies to 371. “However, the subsequent negotiations on a social plan proved difficult,” said Marieke Van Gils of the BBTK union.
Staff held a 24-hour strike on 12 May to put pressure on the negotiations and demand additional funding. “Following this strike, we resumed negotiations and, at the start of this week, the trade unions and management reached an agreement,” Van Gils said. “The social plan provides for additional severance payments in the event of compulsory redundancy.”
A voluntary redundancy scheme will be opened over the next two weeks, which could reduce the number of compulsory redundancies even further.
A vote was held among the nearly 5,000 employees and the agreement was approved on Saturday by a large majority. The redundancies will take effect on 30 June.
#FlandersNewsService | Nike's logistics centre in Laakdal, Antwerp province, June 2023 © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
Related news
