Coop leaves Rome. In the end, the fears of unions and workers about the gradual liquidation of outlets in the region, including the capital, came true. Only 7 Coop supermarkets (owned by the Unicoop Tirreno cooperative) will remain in the city, the other 54 are about to change hands: the owner of the Tigre brand has been sold to the Gabrielli Group. Tomorrow morning, a joint review between the new concessionaire and the unions on the operation involving nearly 800 workers that will once again change the map of Rome’s supermarkets.
Coop leaves Rome
Details on employment prospects have yet to be disclosed and while intentions appear to maintain current levels, it is the “unpacking” of supermarkets in Tigre that has been handed over to entrepreneurs, which worries trade union organisations. Just like with Carrefour and Conad franchises: from large corporation to individual entrepreneurs. The risk is the reduction of labor cost, benefits and protections.
Cooperative supermarkets towards unpacking
“One might say ‘collaborative distinctiveness is the final act’.” – Roberta Valenti, regional secretary of Uiltucs, comments on RomaToday microphones. “We are meeting the usual pattern of dismantling of sold outlets, which makes it difficult to control full protection and warranties for all employees. It’s an operation we’re used to now, but it amazes us that Coop is also doing it. It basically does what large multinational companies do. An irreversible mutation”.
The type of contract for workers will also change: no longer existing cooperation “which – underlines the unionist – provides 100% payment for sick leave as well”, Tigre will implement the modern organized distribution contract.
The sale of Coop supermarkets to Tigre will end in a few weeks. Meanwhile, as customers wander the aisles intent on shopping for Easter, 800 workers wonder what’s to come. About how these countless sales and signage changes will change their lives.
Source: Today IT
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
