Public transport in Brussels and across Belgium will be disrupted on Friday and Monday as unions hold two days of action to protest the federal government’s expected budget cuts.
Friday’s strike is the tenth major protest against the government’s policies since early last year. A national day of action on Monday 12 October is also expected to disrupt public services across the country.
The immediate trigger is the drafting of Belgium’s budget. The unions fear ordinary people will again bear the brunt of the cuts.
The protests
The FGTB-ABVV union is organising a national demonstration in Brussels on Friday, which will set off from Central Station and head towards Brussels-Midi station.
“We want to make our red lines clear and warn the government to keep its hands off purchasing power, the cost-of-living index and VAT,” union spokesperson Daan Nelen said.
No estimate of turnout has been given. Previous demonstrations drew tens of thousands of people, though several thousand are likely to march on Friday.
The CSC-ACV union will protest at the Brussels headquarters of the governing parties. Several hundred activists will demonstrate at each location and request meetings with the party leaders.
“Workers have already contributed more than enough,” the union said. “And on top of that, they are paying the price for the rising cost of living, higher energy bills and increasing work pressure.”
Both unions also want to draw attention to their alternative budget plan, which they say could raise up to €21 billion without drastic cuts.
Transport disruption
The march is expected to disrupt car traffic in Brussels throughout Friday.
Belgian railway operator SNCB-NMBS will not take part in Friday’s action, so trains will run as normal. It expects disruption on Monday and is preparing an alternative timetable, though the exact impact is not yet clear.
Brussels operator STIB-MIVB has warned of possible disruption. It will publish an initial forecast of operating metro, tram and bus lines on Thursday and Sunday evenings, with the running lines confirmed shortly before 6 a.m. on Friday and Monday.
Unions at Flemish operator De Lijn have filed strike notices for both days, and the company has warned of severe disruption. About 40% of its buses and trams will not run across Flanders on Friday. Its journey planner has been updated to list only the services that will operate. An adapted service is being drawn up for Monday, but it is not yet clear which vehicles will run.
Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport said it has cancelled 140 flights on Friday because ground handler Alyzia will be severely affected by the protests. Alyzia will have only “limited staffing”, the airport said.
Alyzia manages operations for several large airlines serving Brussels, including Brussels Airlines. Its duties include baggage handling, ramp operations, de-icing, aircraft cleaning and cargo and mail transport.
About 40% of Brussels Airlines flights will be affected. A spokesperson said affected passengers will be contacted to rebook. “Passengers can also check the status of their flight via ‘My Booking’ on our website,” the spokesperson said.
There is no information yet on flight disruption on Monday.
