Filing for bankruptcy: Verdi: Galeria employees need clarity quickly

Dusseldorf. After the department store company Galeria filed for bankruptcy, the Verdi union is calling on those responsible for the process to quickly provide clarity. It is still unclear for the employees whether their salary is guaranteed by Galeria or whether insolvency money will be paid, said Verdi federal board member Silke Zimmer. “We demand that these open questions be clarified by the responsible authorities as quickly as possible.”

Zimmer described the situation at Galeria as difficult. “It is crucial for us that employees are reliably and directly informed about what is going to happen next.” They feared for their own existence and that of their families. “It shouldn’t be the case that employees have to deal with the mistakes made by the management.” Those responsible must now work together with the workforce and works councils to find a viable perspective.

On Friday, Galeria applied to the Düsseldorf district court to open insolvency proceedings. It is the company's fourth bankruptcy filing in six years. It remains to be seen whether and which locations will have to close. Business operations in the 83 branches will continue for the time being.

It is still unclear whether the approximately 12,000 employees will receive insolvency money. The Federal Employment Agency decides on the approval - when is unclear. The Düsseldorf District Court has now ordered preliminary insolvency proceedings for Galeria. The lawyer Frank Kebekus was appointed as the provisional insolvency administrator.