Brussels (Brussels Morning) – FedEx in Belgium faces 385 job cuts, causing unrest. Employees, shocked by the news, express anxiety and anger. Strikes have already begun, with more actions expected amidst ongoing uncertainty.
International freight and delivery company FedEx has reported 385 redundancies in Belgium. Trade unions say the cuts will affect 28% of staff. There has been great unrest at the courier company FedEx at Brucargo freight airport after the announcement of 385 dismissals at a special works council. About twenty employees then spontaneously went on strike. “The reactions range from resignation to anger. More actions may follow,” says secretary Kris Vanden Bossche of ACV Puls.
How Will FedEx Belgium’s Job Cuts Affect Employees?
According to Vanden Bossche, the news came as a bolt from the blue for many employees. The savings mainly affect the freight airport Brucargo in Zaventem, where FedEx employs about a thousand people.
“It is not the case that there will be people on the street tomorrow,” the trade unionist explains. “But the employer’s intention to cut 385 jobs is clear. This will be discussed in accordance with the Renault procedure to see how we can reduce the number of redundancies.”
Fifth round of layoffs
How Will FedEx Belgium’s Job Cuts Affect Employees?
The announcement affects both support and operational functions. “Support functions include IT, marketing, legal department and HR at the office in Evere. Operational functions concern the people in the warehouses who sort, load, unload and prepare the parcels for the couriers,” Vanden Bossche explains.
The employees reacted shocked and divided. “There is both anxiety and resignation. After all, this is already the fifth round of dismissals since the takeover of TNT in 2016. Job security is very relative. However, some employees are also angry about the continued uncertainty.”
Possibly more actions
What Measures Are FedEx Belgium Employees Taking in Response?
Since the announcement, actions have already begun. “There are currently about twenty employees on strike, a mix of staff from different departments. We may expect more actions, especially at night, when activities are at their highest,” says Vanden Bossche. “We support any action, if necessary.”
“It is difficult to estimate now how this will continue. We have only received the flat announcement of the intention and have yet to receive detailed information. But the dissatisfaction among the employees is understandable and palpable.”
