Heppignies, Belgium — The depot that restocks seven Cora hypermarkets in Heppignies (Hainaut) was blocked on Thursday morning as workers protested against ongoing uncertainty about the future of the stores.
The blockade, announced by the Setca union, reflects growing frustration among employees over the management’s silence regarding the fate of their jobs.
The protest is a response to what the union describes as a persistent lack of communication from Cora’s management, part of the Louis Delhaize group.
The group has been gradually divesting over the past years, raising concerns among employees about potential closures or sell-offs.
The seven Cora hypermarkets, the shopping malls that house them, and the Heppignies depot together represent around 2,000 jobs directly, with an additional 2,000 positions tied to other chains within the malls.
Myriam Delmée, president of Setca, voiced the workers’ frustrations, emphasizing that this is the third wave of restructuring since 2015.
“We can no longer reassure the 2,000 Cora employees. They are experiencing their third wave of restructuring and reorganization since 2015,” Delmée stated.
The union leader criticized Cora’s management for their perceived lack of transparency and unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue.
“Cora’s management is keeping its head in the sand. We have responded to all of management’s requests for meetings and have not avoided any debate. We expect the same from them,” Delmée added, highlighting the need for urgent clarity regarding the company’s future plans.
According to Setca, the blockade aims to send a strong message to management, demanding concrete answers and a clear strategy to secure jobs. “With this blockade, the workers are sending a clear message: enough is enough,” Delmée warned.
Concerns Over Job Security
The uncertainty stems from the broader financial strategy of Louis Delhaize, which has divested several assets in recent years.
Employees fear that the seven remaining hypermarkets and the associated supply chains could be the next targets in a bid to streamline operations or raise capital.
Workers at the Heppignies depot reported that they had received no concrete information about potential buyers or alternative plans for the stores.
This silence has exacerbated concerns, especially with the end-of-year shopping season approaching, a critical period for retail operations.
“We just want to know what the future holds,” said one worker at the blockade, who asked to remain anonymous. “People have families to support, and we’re left in the dark.”
Management’s Response Awaited
So far, Cora’s management has not issued a formal response to the blockade. Attempts to reach representatives for comment were unsuccessful.
However, industry analysts suggest that the group’s recent financial maneuvers may indicate a strategy to either sell off or significantly restructure the hypermarket chain.
The blockade has also sparked concerns about potential disruptions to supply chains, particularly as it impacts the distribution center that supplies all seven Cora locations.
If prolonged, the protest could lead to shortages on shelves, affecting both customers and suppliers during a peak period for retail.
Local authorities have been monitoring the situation closely but have not intervened as of yet. Meanwhile, union representatives have indicated their willingness to escalate actions if management continues to remain silent.
For now, the blockade at Heppignies stands as a stark symbol of growing tensions between Cora’s employees and the management of the Louis Delhaize group, with 4,000 jobs potentially hanging in the balance.
