Various transport workers' unions will carry out strike action across Belgium today to denounce the cost of living crisis while also calling for Belgium to keep its wage indexation system to help tackle inflation. While no disruption is planned for SNCB's services, many TEC and De Lijn routes will not run today.
Belgium’s socialist trade unions, the FGTB and the ABVV, are set to hold several rallies during the strikes. In Wallonia, manifestations are planned for Marche-en-Famenne, Liège, La Louvière, and Eupen. In Flanders, the strikes will be held in Antwerp. Trade unionists from the FGTB and the ABVV will also organise protests in Brussels.
Tuesday's strike action follows the one organised by unions several months ago over the cost of living crisis. In mid-December, a nationwide demonstration gathered more than 16,000 people in Brussels.
The Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (CSC) will participate in joint actions with the socialist unions in Brussels and Marche-en-Famenne, as well as organise a leafleting event. Union members will hand out flyers and chocolates, taking advantage of Valentine’s Day, to draw attention to the importance of Belgium’s automatic indexation system.
The CSC is planning to distribute its flyers in Liège, Verviers, Mons, La Louvière, and Charleroi. Other activities are planned in the Froyennes, Mouscron, and Ghislenghien areas of the Hainaut province.
The planned industrial action will have a significant impact on mobility and transport, both in Wallonia and Flanders.
Many routes of Wallonia’s public transport company, TEC, have already been cancelled as a result of strikes. These cancelled routes will affect passengers in Walloon Brabant, Charleroi, Hainaut, Liège-Verviers and Namur-Luxembourg. Route cancellations will be posted on the TEC website.
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In Flanders, around 65% of De Lijn buses and trams will run, the transport company assured. It is unknown exactly how many Flemish mobility workers will participate in the protest action. De Lijn and TEC services are set to return to normal by 15 February.
In Brussels, STIB has announced that its staff will not participate in today’s protest action. Nevertheless, local and temporary deviations to planned timetables could still be possible, warned spokesperson An Van Hamme. Any disruptions will be posted on STIB’s website and Twitter account.
No major disruption is planned at Belgian rail company SNCB.
