The strike at the Belgian chip company Clarebout is over, according to a spokesperson for the company. All 2.800 Clarebout employees at its locations in Dunkirk, Warneton, Nieuwkerke, Comines, Mouscron, and Frameries have returned to work.
"We can say there are no more strikers, but nothing has been officially signed yet," explains a Clarebout spokesperson. Production has returned to 90% of total capacity, according to the company. Consultations with the unions are expected soon, as they hope for a successful discussion with the employer to resolve the remaining issues.
Bonus for staff
Clarebout's employees went on strike on Thursday, October 2nd, to demand a bonus that the unions claim they are entitled to for their contribution to the chip company's strong growth in recent years. Owner Jan Clarebout has capitalized on his company's growth by selling it to the American food group Simplot.
The unions estimate that Clarebout will receive more than €3 billion from the sale. The owner of the chip company has promised to compensate employees with a net bonus of €500 per person, with an additional bonus for employees with more than ten years of service. The unions rejected that proposal. Clarebout and the unions must now seek a solution in new talks. Meanwhile, work in the factories has resumed.