Train traffic in Belgium will again be disrupted on Tuesday 15 April due to another railway strike. The strike is organised by the five trade union organisations against certain measures in the Federal Government coalition agreement.
Despite several reconciliation meetings, the five union organisations (ACOD Spoor/CGSP Cheminots, ACV/CSC-Transcom, VSOA-Spoor/SLFP-Cheminots, OVS/SIC and ASTB/SACT) have decided to maintain the strike on Tuesday 15 April.
With the actions, railway staff are protesting against a series of reforms the Federal Government wants to implement. These include an increase in the retirement age and savings in the entire sector.
As a result, fewer trains will run from 22:00 on Monday until 22:00 on Tuesday.
Specifically, three in ten IC trains (between major cities) will not be running on Tuesday, and neither will four in ten local L and suburban S trains. Almost no peak-hour P trains will be operating during the morning and evening rush hours.
International trains
International railway traffic will be disrupted as well. All TGV INOUI, Eurostar, ICE and OUIGO trains are scheduled to run, but a quarter of EuroCity and half of EuroCity Direct trains between Belgium and the Netherlands have been cancelled. More information can be found on the SNCB/NMBS international website.
"The managements of HR Rail, Infrabel and SNCB/NMBS regret this action and the fact that passengers are once again the victims of this conflict," the railway operators said in a press release. "The strike burden is becoming unbearable for passengers, workers and many other economic and social actors. They all depend on the availability of rail infrastructure and train supply."
The alternative train service for Tuesday – based on staff who have indicated they will work – will be visible in the online journey planner, via the SNCB/NMBS app or website from Monday morning. More detailed information about the alternative train service can also be found on the operator's website.
Train passengers are advised to prepare their journey in advance and consult the journey planner regularly. SNCB/NMBS will continue to provide assistance to passengers with reduced mobility even during the strike, based on the alternative train service.
The five unions also took action last Tuesday, and are planning further strikes on 22 and 29 April as well.
