The SLFP public sector union announced on Tuesday that its emergency services workers intend to file an indefinite strike notice for all rescue zones of the country, in anticipation of large mobilisation.
The workers denounce a lack of investment and personnel, and following attacks against rescue workers on New Year’s Eve, an increase in violence. The workers also decry their workload and retirement arrangements.
The SLFP has already scheduled strike action for 27 January in Brussels in front of the offices of Brussels Minister-President, Rudi Vervoort, and are calling on emergency service workers to symbolically leave their work clothes in front of the building.
“Enough is enough,” the union declared following attacks on emergency services on New Year’s Eve. They are calling for faster procedures and “exemplary” sentences against hooligans who attack public service workers, as well as additional budgets to strengthen Belgium’s emergency services.
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“For more than two years, we have focused on our missions due to the pandemic,” the SLFP said. “We have remained too silent! Faced with the contempt of the authorities against our profession, it is time to put up the barricades.”
The union said that the strike notice would only be withdrawn in the case that it receives “serious guarantees” concerning all its demands from the Federal Government.
