General strike this Thursday over new federal government measures

A national demonstration by trade unions over the new Belgian federal government is planned this Thursday, 13 February.

Workers are calling for “the strengthening of public services”, the FGTB union said, in response to measures proposed by the Arizona coalition - made up of political parties MR, Les Engagés, N-VA, CD&V, Vooruit.

Some actions have already taken place, including a rally at the end of last week at Place Poelaert in Brussels, attended by almost 10,000 people.

Unions say they intend to organise a specific action on the 13th of each month.

Public transport operators are already anticipating disruption on 13 February, as their employees will be among those demonstrating.

“Given that the demonstration concerns public services, we are calling on our members to participate as fully as possible in this action,” said Jo Van der Herten, ACV secretary responsible for public transport.

Flemish transport operator De Lijn said it could yet calculate the precise impact of the demonstration on its network, but is working on an alternative traffic plan based on workers who have indicated that they will be taking their shift.

Some disruption is to be expected on Wallonia’s TEC network. Where possible, information on cancelled routes will only be provided on the day.

In Brussels, Stib services will be disrupted and real-time updates will be available on the day itself. Workers for Belgian railway company SNCB are not expected to join the strike.

Military personnel had been granted permission to join in the 13 February action by former defence minister Ludivine Dedonder (PS), but the federal government has since withdrawn that permission.