Belgium's rail service is currently facing significant disruptions due to strikes initiated by two unions representing railway workers. Beginning on Friday evening, the Independent Union for Railway Personnel (OVS) and the Autonomous Train Drivers' Union (ASTB) kicked off a nine-day strike, leading to reduced train services nationwide.
On Saturday, only half of intercity (IC) services were expected to run, and just one-third of local (L) and suburban (S) train services were operational. On Sunday, the rail company NMBS projected two-thirds of L and S train services would operate, along with about half of all intercity services. Most P train services meant to accommodate students returning to university towns such as Leuven, Ghent, and Brussels will still function as planned.
The disruptions are particularly noticeable on the rail line connecting Brussels to Luxembourg, where significant service interruptions are anticipated due to the strike, which has partially closed the signal box at Namur. The strike will continue until 10 PM on Sunday, but union representatives indicate there are more actions planned for the near future.
Koen De Mey, chairman of the Christian Railway Union ACV Transcom, stated, "We begin on March 17, then there will be a national strike, especially at the railways." This announcement follows the unions' concerns surrounding federal government proposals to reform pensions, increased productivity demands, continued budget cuts, and the potential merging of the NMBS.
De Mey expressed dissatisfaction with the way these reforms are being handled, highlighting the need for clarity: "The planned savings at the railways are still very unclear. There is talk of 675 million euros over the next five years, but we also hear about 250 million euros. We want clarity on this issue."
The unions have already signaled they will maintain this momentum with future actions, including four action days per month from April to June. Specific details on these actions will adjust based on the outcomes of negotiations, which remain uncertain. "We are thinking of one day per week, with regional and national actions," said Günther Blauwens, chairman of ACOD Spoor, emphasizing the commitment to engage more employees by avoiding weekends for these disruptions.
Travelers and commuters have been quite affected, particularly during peak times. With the uncertainty and strain on services, many are left wondering how long such adjustments will remain. Yet, the unions are adamant about making their grievances heard, insisting they must "send a signal if the minister does not respond."
The federal government has acknowledged the strikes and hinted at potential discussions. Ongoing negotiations are expected with federal mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke, who has already reached out to union representatives since taking office. Both unions are seeking concrete responses to their various demands, especially those surrounding pension plans. They assert their stance firmly with repeated calls for answers, particularly from pension minister Jan Jambon, who they claim has yet to respond to their numerous inquiries.
All told, the Belgian rail service is at a crossroads faced with both operational challenges and labor unrest, impacting thousands of passengers daily. The unions' resolve and willingness to escalate their actions puts enormous pressure not only on the rail service but also necessitates swift, effective communication and negotiation from the government if they wish to restore normalcy and maintain trust with commuting citizens.
With the scheduled strikes on March 17 and 31, and potentially more looming, the picture for travelers seems grim. The unions are determined to fight for their rights, making the future of public transportation in Belgium uncertain. With discussions impending, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the mounting pressure and anxiety from both unions and commuters.