Single agreement in sight for large-scale retail

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In late 2001, the social partners in the Belgian large-scale retail sector were negotiating, for the first time, over a single collective agreement for the whole sector (which was formerly divided into three bargaining units). On 1 December, with no deal in sight, trade unions called a one-day national strike. However, conciliation then led to a draft agreement, which seems likely to satisfy the unions.

Collective bargaining in the Belgian large-scale retail sector has hitherto been conducted in three separate joint committee s dealing with different types of shop. However, employers' associations and trade unions have decided to bring together bargaining for the entire sector, with the aim of concluding a single agreement covering the period from January 2002 to March 2003. The aim is that the agreement will include all large-scale retail enterprises in Belgium except for independent shops. Some 80,000 staff will be covered in 120 shops including hypermarket chains (Cora and Carrefour), supermarkets (such as Super GB, Colruyt and Delhaize) and specialist shops (such as Blokker, Go Sport, Hema, Inno and Brico). However, during the talks, tensions which have been apparent for some time in the sector (BE0104347N) resurfaced. .

On 1 December 2001, in the absence of any agreement, the Belgian Union of White-Collar Staff, Technicians and Managers (Syndicat des Employés, Techniciens et Cadres de Belgique/Bedienden, Technicien Kaders van België, SETCa/BBTK), the National Federation of White-Collar Workers (Centrale Nationale des Employés/Landelijke Bedienden Centrale CNE/LBC) and the Federation of Liberal Trade Unions of Belgium (Centrale Générale des Syndicats Libéraux de Belgique/Algemene Centrale der Liberale Vakbonden van België, CGSLB/ACLVB) organised general strike action in all shops affected by the negotiations, and quickly lodged notice of another strike for Saturday 15 December, one of the most important days for business in the retail trade in the run-up to Christmas.

The employers and the trade unions resumed talks on 5 December under the aegis of an official conciliator from the Federal Ministry of Employment and Labour (Ministère Fédéral de l'Emploi et du Travail/Federaal Ministerie van Tewerkstelling en Arbeid, META). After negotiations lasting 16 hours, the conciliator tabled a final proposed settlement that looked as if it would satisfy the trade union side. Officially, only the CGSLB/ACLVB union gave it a definite green light at this stage, but the conciliator's proposal nonetheless persuaded the unions to call off their strike threatened for 15 December.

The draft collective agreement is in two main parts:

1. purchasing power and pay. Full-time workers will receive a one-off payment of EUR 100 on 1 February 2002, and gross monthly pay rises of EUR 12.5 from 1 June 2002 and EUR 7.5 from 1 February 2003. The draft agreement also provides for a revaluation of travel costs reimbursement (eg relating to bicycles, shared travel arrangements and private vehicles); and

2. working time. For part-time workers (who make up a large proportion of staff in retail) in post for at least five years, the weekly working time under contracts of indefinite tenure will rise from a minimum of 18 hours to 20 hours (or 20 hours to 22 hours) as from 1 December 2002. The same measure will apply to employees with three years' seniority as from 1 December 2003. The agreement will also provide for a new 'time credit' scheme, relating to employees' rights to interrupt their employment or reduce their hours for a certain period, without breaking off the contract of employment and without loss of social security rights (this system came into force at national level on 1 January 2002- BE0108360F).

The time credit issue was the main stumbling-block in the negotiations. In the end, the trade unions won the right to be informed and consulted on the people using the time credit scheme. Interested employees (and no limit will be put on the number) will be able to interrupt their careers for five years and, from the age of 50 to the statutory retirement age, most employees will be able to work half time (on reduced rates of pay). The draft agreement also extends to the end of 2004 the scheme whereby employees may opt for early retirement at the age of 58.