A large-scale general strike on Monday 31 March is expected to see Belgium grind to a halt, with Brussels' public transport operator STIB/MIVB having confirmed it is expecting major disruptions on its lines.
The socialist trade union FGTB/ABVV and Christian union CSC/ACV have called for a general strike in Belgium on Monday 31 March. Workers in several sectors will be taking part in the mobilisation. The two major rail unions ACOD Spoor and ACV-Transcom will take part, meaning fewer trains will run. On Monday, 24 March, Brussels Airlines confirmed that all 244 departing flights will be cancelled.
STIB/MIVB on Tuesday stated it is expecting "major disruption" on its metro, tram and bus network across Brussels due to the strike. Two STIB unions are inviting their members to participate in the strike, and many STIB personnel will likely take part in this action.
"We will do everything in our power to ensure at least a partial service and to inform travellers in real time about the situation on the network," spokesperson Laurent Vermeersch said.
The exact extent of the disruption cannot be predicted at this time. Usually, STIB/MIVB posts an update about the traffic situation early in the morning on the day of the strike, on its website, social media and the new STIB WhatsApp channel. During the last major strike on 13 February, just two metro lines were running.
The company encourages people to look for alternative solutions for their travel plans in Brussels on that day if possible to avoid being heavily impacted. Floya (Brussels' multi-mobility app) will suggest alternative routes based on the lines that are running, and offer suggestions using taxis, shared bicycles, shared scooters and shared cars.
The strike aims to denounce a series of measures put forth by the Federal Government.
