Risk of further rail strike on 30 November and 1 December

Further strike action on Belgian railways is planned on 30 November and 1 December, in addition to the strike already announced for 29 November, reports Belga.

The 48-hour strike notice, concerning only train drivers, followed the notice issued by a common union front for Wednesday 29 November.

This latest action is scheduled to start at 3.00 on 30 November and end on 2 December at the same time.

The trade union representing train drivers, SACT ASTB, justified its planned action on “degraded” working conditions, citing in particular the increase in productivity, refused leave and increasing “excessive” fatigue.

It also noted that the first half of 2022 was marked by an 83% increase in signal overruns, which it considered "unacceptable" due to security being “compromised”.

The trade union referred to a list of demands signed by more than 1,700 train drivers, on the basis of which it challenged the management of the SNCB and the three main trade union organisations forming the common front (CGSP, CSC, SLFP).

The strike notice covers all train drivers and shunting drivers, from all depots, whether or not they are members of the SACT ASTB union.

Photo: Train strike at Leuven station on 9 November © Belga/Hatim Kaghat