Unions have called on staff in French-speaking schools to strike on Tuesday, disrupting classes in Brussels and Wallonia. The action is in protest against measures brought in by the MR-Les Engagés government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
Earlier this month the Joint Trade Union Front called on teachers, administrative, and technical staff in the French Community (also known as the Wallonia-Brussels Federation) to strike on Tuesday 26 November. Several staff have taken part in the action and several picket lines have been set up in front of various schools. While lessons in some schools have been disrupted by the strike, they are required to provide childcare that day.
Unions have said the response from teachers has been "incredible" and "unprecedented". "Teachers are up in arms and some schools will be at a complete standstill," Roland Lahaye, General Secretary of CSC-Enseignement, told RTBF. "It has been a long time since I have seen such a spontaneous mobilisation from staff and schools." Even schools that usually don't participate in strikes have joined the action.
Lahaye added that the strike on Tuesday is likely "the beginning of a long battle". He noted that the success of the protest will depend on the response from Education Minister Valérie Glatigny (MR). A meeting was scheduled between Glatigny and the trade unions on Tuesday morning but CSC chose not to attend, standing with the striking teachers instead.
Union members at the ULB Brussels university, Tuesday 26 November 2024. They are protesting the programme that will dictate education policy from next year. Credit: Belga
Union concerns
Tuesday is the first one-day strike since the new MR-Engagés majority formed in July. The unions want to denounce the programme of savings that are planned in the education sector. The strike comes as the parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation examines the draft budget for 2025.
The trade unions fear that the new measures will undermine the quality and accessibility of education. The unions are particularly concerned about a further deterioration in teachers' working conditions and status, specifically with the controversial decision by the new coalition to end teacher appointments in favour of open-ended contracts.
They also denounced the €6.5 million reduction in funding for higher education establishments. The government sees these cost-cutting measures as necessary in light of the FWB's deteriorating budgetary situation. It has assured teachers that the "essential missions" of education will not be affected.
