Flemish commuters are facing the second two-day rail strike in two months. Rail services will only start to get back to normal on Thursday evening after 10PM. For the meantime rail passengers are reliant on the rail company’s alternative service.
The alternative service is planned on the basis of staff who have indicated they are willing to work on strike days. It’s a minimum service that is announced one day in advance. Details are on the rail company website and app.
The strike means most extra commuter services are cancelled. 40% of S and L services are running. For Inter City (IC) services linking major conurbations the figure is 60%.
Rail unions are taking strike action in protest against an internal reorganisation and measures intended to increase productivity.
“A double two-day rail strike is exceptional” says Günther Blauwens of the socialist union “but dissatisfaction among rail workers has never been so great. Staff shortages heighten work pressure. Every day staff face failing work tools and an unworkable rail structure. Rail workers need stability”.
Passengers who don’t make it to work or school or are delayed due to the strike can download a certificate from the rail company NMBS website.
The rail company says the strike is totally irresponsible: “Within a couple of years the NMBS will have to face off competition from other rail companies. We are requesting an effort from our workforce of 17,000 at all levels” says NMBS spokesman Dimitri Temmerman. This year the company hired 1,600 new staff. Total staff numbers are up by 250 this year and next”.