ERFURT (dpa-AFX) - The works council at Zalando's Erfurt logistics center, which is facing closure, has accused the management board of ignoring an offer to hold talks. Following the delivery of 1,250 cards detailing the concerns and demands of staff and their families in Berlin last week, the employee representatives proposed a meeting without lawyers or consultants, the council stated. The aim was to 'resolve the deadlock and end the grueling uncertainty for the workforce'.
The works council's formal request reportedly went unanswered. From the council's perspective, the company has opted for one-sided communication by publishing a letter from Co-CEO David Schröder to the staff, in which he once again advocated for the appointment of a conciliation committee.
Zalando did not initially comment on the allegations.
Works council feels provoked
'This approach is deeply disappointing and marks a new low in communication between the works council and corporate leadership,' stated works council chairman Tony Krause, describing the move as a provocation. The council is currently contesting the establishment of a conciliation committee before the Thuringia State Labour Court.
In the recent works council elections, the committee was re-elected with a nearly unchanged lineup amid high voter turnout. The council interpreted this as a 'clear mandate and broad approval from colleagues for its current course'.
Zalando plans to close the Erfurt logistics center, which played a pivotal role in the online fashion retailer's growth, in September. This would result in all 2,700 employees in Erfurt losing their jobs. The conflict has been simmering since the beginning of the year, with two staff meetings held so far - the most recent without management representatives - alongside a demonstration by workers and supporters in Erfurt./rot/DP/jha
