The socialist trade union ACOD has proposed a new strike notice over ongoing overcrowding in Belgian prisons.
The new notice could lead to strikes from Wednesday 15 May, 22:00 in West Flanders prisons, as announced by Robby De Kaey of ACOD on Sunday.
The unions have been staging protests for weeks in response to staff shortages and prison overcrowding. They also oppose the requisition of staff from the first day in line with minimum service provision.
ACOD submitted a strike notice on Friday for 13 May at 22:00 for prisons in Flemish Brabant, and on Saturday for 14 May at 22:00 in Limburg prisons. They will be adding a notice for 15 May at 22:00 for West Flanders. The union is discussing today which actions will be taken and where.
A meeting between the unions and the cabinet of Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt of Open VLD is planned for Tuesday 7 May.
The Christian union ACV has decided to await the results of this meeting before deciding whether to support ACOD’s strike or not. The liberal union VSOA is not actively calling for a strike, but it supports ACOD’s position.
