Train conductors to strike on 22 & 27 June: minimum service could be applied for first time

The railway conductors’ union SACT has announced an intention to strike for 48 hours from Friday 22 June at 3.00, announced a spokesperson on Monday. It followed an earlier announcement by the independent union of railway workers SIC to strike for 24 hours on 27 June from 22.00.

Both organisations are protesting against a management proposition by national rail authority SNCB to reevaluate train personnel.  

Their employer HR Rail confirmed that SACT, which is not officially recognised by the SNCB, had introduced a strike intention. The SIC had yet formally to do so. If a planned reconciliation meeting with SACT is not fruitful, a minimum railway service would be introduced for the first time.

Rail employees would have to inform of their intention to take part or not in the action at least 72 hours in advance. A transport plan would then be put in place.

The SACT spokesperson said there had been no prior dialogue with the SIC union. Claiming that one conductor in three was a member of the union, the spokesperson said: “Nevertheless, it is difficult to know what  impact the action would have on the running of trains.”

Photo: Camille Delannois / Belga