Unions push back against federal reform plans as talks with government stall
After months of protests, unions have started talking with the federal government about their reform plans. However, unions from the railway, defence and pension sectors have criticised the government's approach, complaining about the lack of progress.
In the railway sector, unions CGSP-ACOD, ACV-CSC Transcom and VSOA-SLFP rejected a preliminary agreement they had previously negotiated with Mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke. The proposed reforms include phasing out statutory rail worker recruitment by 2028 and transferring recruitment responsibilities from HR Rail to NMBS and Infrabel.
Resistance was strongest at CGSP-ACOD, where 99 per cent of its members voted to reject the agreement. "People see absolutely no added value in the pre-agreement in terms of mobility, travellers, efficiency or working conditions," union president Günther Blauwens said.
The unions have requested Crucke return to the negotiating table, while adding that they are not planning new strike actions for now.
Military unions CGSP-ACOD Defence, VSOA-SLFP Defence, ACV-CSC Public Services and ACMP-CGPM, meanwhile, broke off talks with Defence minister Theo Francken on Tuesday, calling the government’s proposals for pension and status reform “disrespectful”.
The central issue remains the failure to align military status and pay with that of other public services. Soldiers currently receive lower compensation for longer hours. That imbalance used to be offset by early retirement, which is now also under threat, the unions say.
Union leaders criticised ongoing investments in military hardware while personnel needs are neglected, warning that poor working conditions may push staff toward other professions. Francken expressed surprise at the unions’ walkout but promised to present amended proposals that take their concerns into account.
Finally, ACV-CSC president Ann Vermorgen called for an increase in purchasing power on Tuesday evening, as part of the union's annual Rerum Novarum celebration. She argued that falling inflation and recent corporate tax cuts have created room for a wage margin of around 0.5 per cent.
Tuesday's pushbacks underscore the continued resistance unions are mounting against the government's austerity plans. While no new strike actions have been announced yet, the likelihood increases as negotiations continue to stall.
A union protest in April © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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