Nationwide protest 16 December: Disruption at Brussels Airport and on public transport

The nationwide protest by trade unions over purchasing power on 16 December is likely to cause difficulties at Brussels Airport, reports RTBF.

Passenger screening and baggage handling are the services that will be particularly affected by the lack of available staff, said an airport spokesperson.

Brussels Airport called on companies to reduce flights by 70%. It said passengers affected by cancelled or rescheduled flights would be contacted by their airline.

The trade union common front organising the protest has called on workers to take to the streets of Brussels to voice again their demands about purchasing power. They are asking for a ceiling on energy prices and a revision of wage levels. The unions are not appeased by the government proposal for a payment of up to €750 for employees of profit-making companies.

Although the planned action is a protest rather than a general strike as occurred on 9 November, it’s expected that a large number of employees will walk out.

Public transport in Brussels to suffer disruption

Bus, tram and metro services in Brussels will be disrupted by the action on Friday 16 December, warned transport company Stib. It’s called on travellers to make alternative travel arrangements in all 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region and the 11 peripheral municipalities.

As Friday’s protest will be staged in the city centre, Stib is expecting services to be disrupted by the lack of personnel as well as possible deviations and interruptions to the network.

Throughout the day, the public transport company will keep travellers updated on the situation via its social media, app and website. Customer service telephone lines will also be open from 6.00 on 070.23.2000.

Photo: National strike at Brussels Airport on 9 November 2022 © Belga/Hatim Kaghat