Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Belgium faces major train disruptions due to ongoing strikes by unions like METISP-Protect, OVS, ASTB, ACOD Spoor, and ACV-Transcom. Transport Minister Jean-Luc Crucke criticizes small unions. 18 strike days are planned until July 2025.
Belgium is facing major train problems because of strikes. Many different unions are striking because they don’t like the government’s new plans for the railways. Some unions, like METISP-Protect, have already been on strike for a long time, causing many delays and cancellations. Before this, other unions, like OVS and ASTB, were on strike for 9 days.
The 2 biggest railway unions, ACOD Spoor and ACV-Transcom, have announced more strikes, with 18 separate days of strikes planned until July 2025. These strikes are affecting both domestic train services and international connections to countries like the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The unions say the government’s plans will affect the quality of train services and make it harder for workers.
Will Belgium limit train strikes amid ongoing disruptions?
The Belgian government is upset about the train strikes. The Transport Minister says the strikes are too big and are breaking the law. He indicates the small unions are making too much of a disturbance despite not having many workers under their representation. He is concerned the strikes are impacting the economy and are making it difficult for others to move about.
The government wants to find a solution that protects workers’ rights but also keeps the trains running. They mentioned that more talks are planned, but if the unions don’t stop striking, Belgium could have train problems for months.
The Les Engagés minister said,
It is essential to distinguish between the unions that represent the voice and a majority of the workforce and the small unions that represent only a fraction of the workforce and are not integrated into the official structures of social dialogue.
According to the courts, it’s okay, but they also said it’s not unlimited. The government is thinking about making new rules to limit strikes, especially for things like trains that everyone needs.
They think the strikes are causing too much trouble. This could mean fewer strikes, but it could also lead to arguments about workers’ rights. Officials mentioned that people might worry that the government is taking away their right to protest unfair working conditions.
