A large-scale European demonstration against austerity measures will take place in Brussels on Tuesday. Public transport operator STIB has warned that traffic will be heavily disrupted.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) together with the Belgian confederations has organised a demonstration against austerity in Europe. Workers and their unions from across Europe will unite in the Belgian capital to voice their concerns, with speeches starting at 11:00 in front of the Palais de Justice on Place Poelaert.
STIB expects major disruptions on bus, tram and metro lines throughout the day: its three unions submitted a strike notice for their members wishing to participate in this national demonstration, and major streets will be closed off to traffic. The exact route of the demonstration has not yet been confirmed, so "it is not possible to predict which lines will run or the extent of the strike," STIB said on Friday.
STIB will keep passengers informed in real time of the situation on the network through its various communication channels, but has called on commuters to plan alternative public transport solutions for their journeys on Tuesday, if possible.
It noted that its new app Floya, which brings together information on the entire mobility offer in Brussels, can help public transport users find alternative solutions to get around during the demonstration.
In addition to the four public transport operators, Floya also includes six private operators: Villo (shared bikes), DOTT (shared e-scooters and bicycles), TIER (shared e-scooters), Cambio (shared cars), Poppy (shared cars) and Taxis Verts.
What is the strike about?
Tuesday's protest will bring together representatives from different industry sectors in light of the European Commission's tightening of the Stability and Growth Pact. Belgium's socialist trade union ABVV explained that this would force Member States to cut social security and public services.
"Negotiations are taking place in Brussels that could undermine those very things that allow our societies to flourish, which will affect us all," the ETUC warned.
Trade unions have argued that the EU's solidarity-based response to the Covid-19 pandemic showed that freeing up funding to keep people's jobs and incomes secure was crucial. "We need more of the same, not a return to the failed recipes of the past," the ETUC concluded.
ABVV argued that, instead of cuts, investment in public services (nurseries, education, healthcare, public transport, etc.), social protection and equitable transition are needed. It argued that in Belgium, where many companies are making historically high profits, there is enough margin for this.
