Brussels rubbish collectors resume work

A strike by unions representing staff of Bruxelles Propreté, the capital’s waste management agency, is over, minister Fadila Laanan has announced. The results of talks were presented to workers on Wednesday, with normal operations expected to resume today.

Staff have been on strike since Monday in protest at changes to the rubbish collection schedule, which unions claim result in longer routes, more hours and a shortage of personnel. Among other measures, the collection of yellow and blue bags returned to a weekly schedule following a year in which they were picked up fortnightly.

According to union representative Patrice De Brandt, the minister has not shifted noticeably from her position, but Bruxelles Propreté management is prepared to study the union’s position and potentially come forward with new proposals.

“Our goals are reconcilable,” a spokesperson for Laanan said. “Both sides want to improve the quality of the service we provide to the people, while ensuring the welfare of staff. We have to find a balance.”

Photo: Jean-Luc Flémal/Belpress