Daily life will be disrupted by another strike in Belgium on Tuesday (20 May), as workers in all public services will protest against the Federal Government's plans for austerity. What disruptions are expected?
The socialist trade union CGSP/ACOD is taking to the streets to denounce the 'Arizona' government's planned cuts in the public sector, including the phasing out of civil servants' pensions and civil servants' status, as well as the erosion of social security.
"The public sector has been suffering for many years due to a lack of investment, and yet the government decides to make further cuts to both staff and resources," the union said. "There is no doubt that in the short, medium and long term, the functioning of public services will continue to suffer."
"Citizens will receive fewer and fewer services, losing a significant portion of their purchasing power in the process," they added. "With these reforms, the government is cutting so deep into the flesh that it is going through the bone, breaking the public sector. We call for this to stop before it is too late."
There is no call to join the strike from the Christian union ACV Public Services/CNE, but any staff taking part will be covered. The liberal union VSOA/SLFP is not participating.
Flights
Brussels Airport in Zaventem warned passengers of the strike as well. While flights are not disrupted on Tuesday morning, the airport is telling passengers coming to the airport by public transport to check if their trains/buses are running. "Everything is running normally, there is no impact due to the strike," the airport operator said.
"The information we have at the moment does not indicate a major impact on airport operations, and no flights departing from or arriving at Brussels Airport are affected," its website reads.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) did not respond to The Brussels Times' request for information, but Belga News Agency reports that there is currently no impact on flight schedules.
Major public transport disruptions
In Brussels, the metro, tram and bus network are "seriously disrupted" due to the strike. Only metro lines 1 and 5 are running.
As for trams, lines 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 51 and 92 (trams and T-bus) are being operated, as are bus lines 12, 36, 46, 50, 53, 54, 59, 65, 71, 73, 87 (rom Simonis to Etangs Noirs/Zwarte Vijvers) and 95. "The usual frequency of our lines cannot be ensured," STIB/MIVB said.
At the same time, STIB/MIVB is encouraging people to seek alternative solutions for their commutes if possible. Travellers will be kept informed via the website, app, social media channels, and the waiting time screens at stops and stations.
In terms of trains, Belgian railway operator SNCB/NMBS has warned passengers that fewer trains will run from 22:00 on the evening of Monday 19 May until Tuesday 20 May (last train): about three in five trains are running on Tuesday.
Specifically, two in five IC trains (between major cities) will not be operated, and neither will one in two local L and suburban S trains. Not many P peak hour trains will be running during the morning and evening rush hours. Passengers can see which trains are (not) running in the SNCB/NMBS app and on its website.
Credit: Belga/ Laurie Dieffembacq
As the unions at Flemish public transport operator De Lijn are also participating, fewer buses and trams will be driving all over Flanders: an average of 63% of De Lijn buses and trams are currently operated. A third of trams are running in the city of Antwerp, and just over half (52%) in Ghent. For the coastal tram, De Lijn expects 50% to run.
As with previous strikes, the operator worked out an alternative service, which is available on the De Lijn website. Travellers are advised to plan their journeys via the route planner on the website or the app.
In Wallonia, public transport operator TEC speaks of "major disruptions" on its network in all provinces. The cancelled routes can be consulted in the timetable search (line and stop) on TEC's website and app, and updated throughout the day. "We recommend that our passengers consider an alternative for their journeys."
Other disruptions
Among municipal authorities, rubbish collection might be disrupted in several cities (including Brussels and Antwerp), closed recycling parks (Ostend) or closed sports facilities (Ghent). The strike could also have an impact locally on childcare and education. Parents will be informed.
Postal services will also be affected by the strike, with packages and letters not being delivered on Tuesday.
Unions are also calling on Justice Ministry staff to take part in the strike and to gather at Place Poelaert from 09:00 to 10:00. They are taking to the streets "because of various unprecedented attacks on their rights and working conditions."
According to them, the Federal Government is threatening, among other things, to drastically reduce pensions and threaten the stability of public sector employment. On top of this, a number of structural problems have been denounced since the end of April.
"These include chronic work overload, exacerbated by the failure to replace staff who retire, a glaring lack of resources and administrative support."
Protests will also be held in front of the Tour du Midi at 10:30.
The Ferris wheel next to the Palais de Justice in Brussels. Credit: Lauren Walker
A large number of clerks working at the court of first instance in Liège are joining the strike as well, they announced on Friday. They will take to the streets to show their dissatisfaction with the pension reform, the high workload load and the underfunding of the judiciary.
On the day of the strike, all correctional, family and civil hearings will be automatically suspended. The family and civil cases will be moved immediately to another date, while the Public Prosecutor will have to request a new date for correctional cases and cases concerning protection measures.
The hearings of the chambers and the criminal court will continue as usual because of their urgency. The same applies to the on-call services at the examining and juvenile courts.
Additionally, the non-profit sector staff will also hold another demonstration in the capital on Thursday. Some 30,000 demonstrators are expected at that, as at the sector's last demonstration on 7 November.
