Belgian Railway Union Announces Nationwide Strike in March

Railway union METISP-Protect has declared a strike from 10:00 p.m. on 2 March until 10:00 p.m. on 30 March. The protest involves all Belgian railway workers opposing government reforms affecting public rail services. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Reasons Behind the Strike

Union leaders describe the strike as a direct response to federal policies threatening railway service quality. METISP-Protect aligns with smaller unions OVS and ASTB, whose separate protest lasts from 21 February until 2 March.

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The union strongly opposes proposed measures negatively impacting railway employees and passengers. Leaders emphasize concerns over privatisation, liberalisation, and the planned abolition of HR-Rail.

Protesters believe these changes would dismantle Belgium’s integrated railway system, worsening service conditions. They argue that planned budget cuts will further degrade railway infrastructure and employee welfare.

Government plans include reducing railway funding by €250 million by 2029, increasing retirement ages, and eliminating pension advantages. METISP-Protect also condemns replacing civil service contracts with private agreements.

Future Actions Following the Strike

The union insists that annualising work hours will impose excessive flexibility on railway workers. It vows to fight these proposals in court and pressure lawmakers through continued protests and demonstrations.

“There is deep dissatisfaction among railway employees,” METISP-Protect representatives declared. “We are acting to defend workers and protect public services from harmful reforms.”

Major unions ACOD Spoor and ACV-Transcom are also mobilising against government policies. Their members will participate in a general protest scheduled for 31 March, with additional actions planned.

Beyond that, Belgian railway unions are preparing rotating demonstrations between March and July. They aim to exert sustained pressure on policymakers while keeping public attention on railway service issues.

Source: www.brusselstimes.com

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