Train strike next Wednesday confirmed, as ACV joins up

Rail services across the country are expected to be severely disrupted next Wednesday, 22 April, as the socialist trade union ACOD Spoor has called a one-day strike. The action also has the backing of the Christian union ACV, though the union has not explicitly called its members out.

The strike, which will begin on 22.00 on Tuesday and end on 22.00 on Wednesday, is the latest protest against government austerity measures, particularly the decision not to apply the traditional annual indexation to salaries. This will mean a €30 million loss to personnel of the rail authority, according to the unions.

Other contentious issues, such as retirement age for government employees and a proposal to oblige rail workers to provide a minimum service during strike actions, are due to come to the table soon.

The train strike was called last month by ACOD. ACV would have preferred to stay at the negotiating table but said they had no option but to support the strike. ACV members are not being called out, but anyone who strikes “spontaneously” will be represented by the union, it said.

In Brussels, a joint union front representing STIB public transport workers called on its members to join in with the strike on Wednesday. Pickets will be set up at all depots, but anyone wishing to work will be able to do so, the unions said. The exact extent of the disruption will be better known at the beginning of next week, said MIVB.