Belgian rail unions are set to meet with new Mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke to discuss the impacts of recent train strikes which have left many passengers frustrated and significantly disrupted service. The strikes, initiated by two smaller unions, OVS and ASTB, began on Friday and have seen the larger unions, ACV and ABVV, announce their participation as well, with plans for rolling actions until July.
The central issue of these discussions is the proposed cuts to pension schemes affecting rail personnel, which unions argue need to be addressed immediately. "The will is there to sit around the table with the management and the rail directors to determine the direction together," said Koen De Mey of ACV-Transcom, pointing to scheduled consultations every two weeks starting March 10.
The impact of these strikes has varied, but reports indicate slight improvements. On Tuesday, only 33% of L and S trains were operational, and P trains, which are especially important for rush-hour commuters, remained largely cancelled. By mid-week, there was some relief, with 50% of Intercity trains and 40% of other trains running.
Passenger frustration is palpable. TreinTramBus, representing travelers, criticized the rail operator SNCB for its handling of the strike, with Chair Peter Meukens stating, "The SCNB is failing miserably here." Issues noted include overcrowding and unreliability with alternative services published 24 hours prior. "Passengers are crammed together like sardines in a can. How is this possible?" he mused.
Adding to the controversy, SNCB spokesperson Dimitri Temmerman defended the rail service's attempts to increase capacity, noting the challenges posed by fewer trains during peak hours. "We are exploring ways to increase capacity where possible and advise passengers to check the planner before traveling," he stated.
Meanwhile, on the international legal front, the Istanbul Prosecutor's office is seeking prison sentences of up to 12 years for Istanbul Bar Association President, Prof. İbrahim Kaboğlu, and ten board members on charges of "terrorist propaganda" and "publicly spreading misleading information." This drastic step follows allegations stemming from the Bar Association’s social media post concerning journalists who died in Syria.
The indictment, released shortly before the hearing on March 4, claims the association’s statement legitimized terrorist organization actions and incited public disorder. The prosecution argues, “The statement aimed to legitimize and promote separatist activities,” which falls under the broad interpretation of terrorism laws.
Contrarily, the Istanbul Bar Association vehemently denied the allegations, stating their intention was to defend the rule of law and human rights, pointing to Articles 76 and 95 of the Attorneyship Law as the basis for their public statement. They highlighted the baseless nature of the accusations against them.
The juxtaposition of these two stories showcases the tension between administrative measures and civil rights. While the Belgian rail unions negotiate for workers’ rights amid crippling strikes, the Turkish prosecution targets the Istanbul Bar Association, echoing concerns surrounding freedom of expression within the legal framework.
Political analysts see both incidents as symptomatic of wider governance issues. The rail strikes reflect labor vs. government tensions over economic policies, particularly pension reform, which could serve as precedence for labor actions across Europe. At the same time, the crackdown on the Istanbul Bar Association highlights the authoritarian challenges facing civil society and legal institutions under pressure from state mechanisms.
Looking forward, whether the unions can successfully negotiate the terms of their pension schemes remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the potential trial of Kaboğlu and the association could set important legal precedents for freedom of speech and the role of professional associations in Turkey. Each situation underlines the delicate balance between governance, public service, and the rights of individuals and groups who stand to be affected.