Two railway unions are organising "rotating strikes" in the coming nine days, expected to cause major disruption to train travel. Saturday's alternative service has been confirmed, but passengers are still left in the dark for the other days, to their frustration.
The Independent Trade Union of Railway Personnel (OVS) is striking for a full nine days, from 22:00 on Friday 21 February until 22:00 on Sunday 2 March. The Belgian Autonomous Union of Train Drivers (ASTB-SACT) is taking action from 22:00 on Sunday 23 February until 22:00 on Friday 28 February.
Minimal alternative train services will be offered for every strike day based on available staff. "The impact of the strike will vary from day to day. It will be greater during the week than at the weekend," national railway operator SNCB spokesperson Bart Crols said.
On Saturday 22 February, three in five IC [Intercity, between Belgium's major cities] and three in five L/S trains [local and suburban] will run. For Sunday and next week, the SNCB journey planner will be updated the day before with the adjusted train service. For example, passengers can check on Sunday morning to find out how the strike will affect travel on Monday.
The current planning for the rotating strike shows staff can choose whether to strike during the first weekend, which explains the minor disruption. Train drivers will strike on Monday and Tuesday, followed by train attendants on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, signalling staff, Infrabel and train drivers will strike, and on Saturday the first two will be joined by train attendants. On Sunday 2 March, it is up to individual staff.
'Unacceptable and disproportionate'
Both strikes are directed at several Federal Government measures, including the increased retirement age for train drivers and conductors, the scrapping of small train stations, the possible abolition or reduction of bonuses for night and Sunday work and the uncertainty about the reclassification of train crews.
SNCB, Infrabel and HR Rail said unions should focus on consultation with the Federal Government instead of blocking train traffic. "We consider the action unacceptable, irresponsible and disproportionate," Crols said. "We regret the consequences for the 900,000 passengers transported every day."
Many of these passengers were rushing through Brussels Central railway station during Thursday's afternoon rush hour. Some are tourists and daytrippers who weren't concerned about the strike. However, most are people who work in Brussels and live outside the big city, and are worried about their commute.
One middle-aged man, Pascal, told The Brussels Times he commutes to Brussels three to four times a week for work. "I will have to look into how I organise myself day by day," he noted. However, the mobilisation will not deter him from commuting by train next week, even if fewer trains are running. He and many others did complain about the late communication regarding alternative train services.
Brussels Central Station. Credit: Belga
Pascal said he is in favour of a solid social security network and understands why unions strike, but argued that it needs to be justified.
"They argue that they want drivers to retire at 55 because they have a 'tough job'. I don't think the population supports that because every job has its pros and cons. Shop workers, lorry drivers, you name it. They also have to work hard," he said. "I am all for people expressing their concerns, but this is over the top."
This was echoed by three women who work together in Brussels and live in Flanders. They are awaiting an official announcement from work to make their plans for the coming days. "If our employer says we can work from home, we will do that to avoid the chaos," one woman said.
They said they understand the concerns of union members. "Their work is not easy. They often come face to face with unfriendly passengers, and simply have to deal with this, so a solution is needed. And this action may send a strong signal. But of course, it affects travellers time and time again," another woman said.
One man who works for Bruxelles-Propreté (the Brussels agency responsible for public cleaning), is worried about his situation. He lives outside of Brussels and cannot work from home. "I may be lucky enough to have a minimum service train, but my fear is that I won't have a train to get home, as I work an afternoon shift until 21:00."
He argued that the strike is not aimed at the right people. "They're taking the wrong people hostage and daring to say that it's for the common good. I'm not sure that many ministers use public transport."
Continued actions
Bert Engelaar, the head of the socialist trade union ABVV (which includes the railway union ACOD), also criticised the strike as excessive, adding that any support railway staff receive from the public is being undermined. "The employees who are affiliated with our union are not going along with this," he said on VTM.
The joint trade union front ACOD Spoor and ACV-Transcom are not taking part in the nine-day strike, but are instead planning a series of actions from March until July. This plan "to reinforce specific demands for the rail sector" came after a meeting with the new Federal Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés).
ASTB-SACT also warned it will renew its actions every month. "Regardless of the financial losses now and in the coming months, we will suffer even more losses until our retirement and beyond if we do not make an effort today."
The Brussels Times contacted Crucke for comment and more information on the next steps he will take to avoid another strike, but did not receive a reply by the time of publishing.
