Staff at Decathlon's distribution centre in the province of Antwerp have laid off work to protest a lack of mouth caps and protective equipment. The employees are also demanding a bonus from the sporting goods retailer.
Decathlon, which has been selling substantially more products since the corona crisis broke out, did not respond to union requests for better safety measures last week. Thereupon, staff decided to strike. Workers on the morning shift did not go to work on Tuesday, but blocked access to the distribution centre where some 350 people work. The supply of shops and the delivery of online orders were thus compromised, reports the Gazet van Antwerpen.
Logistics workers are protesting due to a lack of mouth caps and other protective equipment, in one of the busiest periods for Decathlon ever. "There was a big spike in activity," said Erika Lambert of union ACV Puls. "Workers were told there was no premium for them. This is in contrast to French distribution centres, where there is sometimes a bonus of 50 euros a day. Moreover, an existing bonus was recently put on hold here."
