Unions discuss new strike on 12 May, as police cancel Friday protest

The socialist trade union ABVV will decide next week whether to hold another 24-hour strike on 12 May, following the success of yesterday’s action by civil sector unions, which saw train and other transport services at a standstill and many other sectors affected.

The proposal for 12 May does not however have the backing of the union’s national leadership and so requires the votes of two-thirds of the members.

Yesterday’s strike was called by the socialist rail union ACOD-Spoor, with the voluntary backing of the Christian union ACV. The unions are protesting at the cost-cutting measures of Belgium’s federal centre-right coalition, including the plan to skip indexation of wages in the public sector this year.

The most immediate effect was the impact on rail services, which were virtually non-existent from 22.00 on Tuesday to 22.00 last night. Public transport in Brussels also experienced serious delays. The strike was also felt here and there in government offices, municipalities, prisons and schools.

ACOD chair Chris Reniers said the action had “certainly been a success. I have never encountered so much support for a strike”. She expressed sympathy with people who had been affected by the strike. “They have to think in the longer term. We are striking in their interest. If the services they currently enjoy are allowed to crumble further, they will experience more than a little inconvenience.”

Voka, the Flemish chamber of commerce, said the action was rather a “strike against the people” in which ACOD was sending out the wrong signal. “In times of economic difficulties there is only one option: reforming together for the future.”

Bart Buysse, director general of the Federation of Belgian Enterprise (VBO), said the strike was “irresponsible, unacceptable, disproportional”. The VBO called for a reform of the strike laws to ensure “a legal framework with clear conditions and enforceable procedures”.

Airpot police back to work

In related news, police at Brussels Airport have stopped a work-to-rule action at passport control after an agreement by the interior ministry to create 35 additional full-time posts. The agreement will bring the number of police employed at the airport to 420. The action had caused long delays for passengers flying to and from destinations outside of the Schengen area.

Meanwhile, a demonstration by police unions planned for tomorrow has been cancelled because it was given a rating of three out of four for terrorism risk by the national co-ordinator for risk analysis (OCAD). Union representatives will go ahead with meetings with politicians.

Photo courtesy ATV