{ "title": "Fire service unions announce indefinite strike over federal reform plans", "modified_at": "2026-06-24 12:43:36", "published_at": "2026-06-24 12:43:00", "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/fire-service-unions-announce-indefinite-strike-over-federal-reform-plans", "short_url": "http://prez.ly/p8Jd", "culture": "en_BE", "language": "EN", "slug": "fire-service-unions-announce-indefinite-strike-over-federal-reform-plans", "body": "

Fire service unions have issued an indefinite strike notice from Saturday across all emergency zones in Belgium, escalating tensions with interior minister Bernard Quintin (MR) over his proposed overhaul of the fire services. While unions stress that emergency response will continue, they warn of possible action affecting non-essential tasks if talks do not resume.

The dispute centres on a broad reform package that unions describe as a “policy of dismantling” and accuse the government of pushing through without proper consultation. They argue that the changes risk undermining operational safety, training standards and cohesion within the fire service, and are calling for urgent negotiations with the minister.

One of the most contentious proposals is the creation of a new personnel category, dubbed “emergency responders”, who would carry out limited interventions after reduced training and receive lower compensation than fully trained operational staff. Unions say this risks creating a two-tier system and raises safety concerns if incidents escalate beyond their initial scope.

The unions are also critical of planned changes to training structures, which they say would weaken professional expertise, as well as the proposed abolition of the Federal Aptitude Certificate (FGA), which they argue could reduce national consistency between fire zones.

Unions’ position and warnings

In a joint statement, the unions said: "What is on the table today is not a vision for the future of the fire service. It is a policy of dismantling that undermines the functioning of our services."

They added: "Our people are ready to serve the population every day. But they deserve legal certainty, respect, and workable conditions. What is currently on the table offers none of that; on the contrary."

Steven Gillesen of ACV Public Services said the strike notice is intended as a final warning: "We have filed a strike notice covering future actions," he said. "This allows the emergency zones to organise actions themselves. For us, this is a final warning to the minister. We still want to sit down at the negotiating table."

He added: "A strike by the fire service is very exceptional," noting that "the last major strikes date back to the previous reforms. I hope it does not have to come to that."

The unions say they remain open to talks but are demanding the reform plans be revised and guarantees be given on safety, legal certainty and working conditions.

In response, Quintin said the reforms are intended to strengthen the fire service and ensure its long-term sustainability. The government has also pointed to nearly 20 million euros in additional federal funding for the sector, and stressed that emergency response capacity will be maintained even in the event of industrial action, with minimum service arrangements possible if required.


\u200b© PHOTO HANS LUCAS COLLECTION

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