Tomorrow, Belgian trade unions will mobilize en masse against the Arizona government’s plans. They are hoping for a repeat of 2014, when 100,000 demonstrators turned up to protest, among other things, an index jump. The unions are particularly concerned about the government’s pension reforms, the planned expansion of flexi-jobs, and lower pay for night work.
As a result, significant disruption is also expected on public transport, except for rail services, and at airports. In Flanders, for example, four out of ten buses and trams operated by De Lijn will not be running, while no passenger flights will depart from Brussels Airport, and all flights at Charleroi Airport have also been canceled.
Public transport severely disrupted
Across Flanders, an average of 61% of all buses and trams will be running. In the province of Antwerp, this figure is 52%; in East Flanders, 78%; in Flemish Brabant, 60%; in Limburg, 54%; and in West Flanders, 65%. Half of the coastal trams will also be running.
The Walloon counterpart TEC does not have exact percentages for buses and trams that will not be running, but the network is expected to be severely disrupted.
The MIVB/STIB also expects severe disruption to the metro, tram, and bus network in Brussels. The Brussels public transport company says it will “make every effort” to ensure at least part of the service and to inform passengers in real time about the situation on the network.
No flights at Charleroi Airport, only incoming flights at Brussels Airport
Just like public transport, air traffic in Belgium will also be severely disrupted tomorrow. Charleroi Airport, for example, is canceling all departing and arriving flights because there will not be enough staff to guarantee safe operation.
At Brussels Airport, there will be no departing passenger flights because security personnel will be walking off the job en masse. Some arriving flights will also be affected. The airport emphasizes that this year’s action is already the sixth national demonstration, with a significant impact on the airport and its airlines, “even though these actions are directed against the policies and measures of the federal government.”
“This year, the national protests have already affected a total of 250,000 passengers and cost the Belgian economy a total of 150 million euros. (…) Brussels Airport deeply regrets the impact of this national union action on its passengers,” it says.
12 extra trains
Trains are expected to run as usual, as the railway unions have not given notice of a strike. However, this is surprising given that last week the rail unions overwhelmingly rejected the draft agreement on the status of rail staff.
What’s more, NMBS/SNCB is even foreseeing 12 extra trains to Brussels on Tuesday morning, which will depart from stations across the country. The railway company expects many extra passengers for Brussels due to the union demonstration.
