A large proportion of staff at the Ikea stores in Zaventem (Flemish Brabant) and Anderlecht (Brussels) are taking strike action. They are protesting against high work pressure and a lack of communication from the management. The stores will remain open during the industrial action and colleagues who want to work will not be prevented from doing so.
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Ikea staff walk out in Zaventem and Anderlecht: ‘Warm Scandinavian company becoming cold multinational’
Colin Clapson
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‘The intention is not to blockade the store,’ says Sven De Scheemaeker, trade union representative at ACV Puls. ‘We are handing out flyers and trying to convince employees to support our action. People who want to work are allowed to enter. It is mainly about sending a signal to management.’
Less respect
Yesterday, there were already protests at Ikea in Hognoul near Liège and in Wilrijk (Antwerp Province). Now, the protests have spread to stores in Zaventem and Anderlecht. ‘That says something about the discontent on the work floor,’ says De Scheemaeker.
The activists are also complaining about a lack of appreciation, while a great deal of flexibility is demanded by management. ‘People feel less appreciated than they used to. There is less respect, more pressure, and the organisation is more chaotic. What was once a warm, Scandinavian company now feels more like a cold multinational that focuses primarily on maximising profits.’
Change is under way across the sector
The trade union also criticises the management for a lack of open communication about the future. ‘Everyone knows that the sector is changing: more online sales, self-scan checkouts... This requires a new way of working. But Ikea lacks a clear and transparent narrative about how it wants to approach this together with its employees. We want social talks on this, rather than decisions being imposed from above’ the trades unionist noted.