Two rail unions announce notice of rolling strikes in September
Two smaller railway unions – ASTB and OVS – have given notice of a rolling strike in the second week of September.
The notice has been submitted on behalf of all railway employees. It allows for a strike from 22.00 on 7 September to 22.00 on 13 September. The intention is to proceed with rolling strike action, with employees taking turns to strike.
Rail operator SNCB/NMBS, infrastructure manager Infrabel and HR Rail, the legal employer of railway staff, have called the decision “totally irresponsible and disproportionate”.
An alternative timetable will apply during strikes. Rail staff must indicate whether they will work and a service will be organised based on the available staff.
Among the complaints in ASTB’s Facebook post announcing the strike notice are that railway workers “will have to work longer for less pay” and that the pay scale will be frozen after 29 years of service.
There have been more than 20 days of strikes on the railways this year, with the latest at the end of April. Unions are protesting against a series of reforms that the federal government wants to implement, including pension reforms and cuts to the railways.
Agreement rejected
Consultations have taken place with the federal government and Mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke. The largest railway unions – ACOD Spoor, ACV-Transcom and VSOA-Spoor – had reached a preliminary agreement, but this was rejected by the rank and file of the three unions at the end of May.
That agreement covered personnel management, legal responsibilities and the modernisation of the status of railway personnel.
Consultations are ongoing with the competent minister, Jan Jambon, on pension plans, which include an increase in the retirement age.
A conciliation meeting will be organised in the coming days.
Gent-Sint-Pieters station during a national strike of socialist trade union FGTB/ABVV and Christian union CSC/ACV, April 2025 © BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE
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