Trade unionists from across Belgium are staging a national demonstration today to show their solidarity with workers at Audi Brussels and other workers whose jobs are currently under threat. With many Brussels public transport workers having joined the demonstration, the Brussels public transport company MIVB is running a revised timetable today (Monday 16 September).
Big disruption to public transport in Brussels as trade unionists stage demonstration to show solidarity with workers at Audi Brussels
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The demonstration has come about due to the threat hanging over the Audi car factory in the Brussels municipality of Vorst. The future of the plant looks bleak after Audi announced that no new modal would be assigned to its Brussels factory. Around 3,000 people work at Audi Brussels. Thousands more work for companies that are reliant on the car plant. However, the unions say that their demonstration is about more than the situation at Audi alone. The “Industry belongs to us” demonstration calls for “forward-looking industrial policies that protect quality jobs and encourage investment”.
Lieve De Preter of the Christian trade union ACV told VRT News that “There are a lot more issues that just wage costs. There are issues with raw materials, energy, subsidies and unfair international competition”
The unions call on politicians to draft a plan of action for manufacturing industry. The plan should in turn form part of the coalition agreement of the new government.
The demonstration’s route is from Brussels North Railway Station to the Luxemburgplein in front of the European Parliament.
Major disruption to public transport
The Brussels public transport company MIVB warns of major disruption to public transport. Just two of the 4 metro lines are running and many bus and tram routes have been modified or cancelled. Also expect disruption to bus and tram services that are still running as the demonstration passes by their route.
Passengers are advised to check MIVB’s website or the public transport company’s app to check whether the service they wish to use is running and if it isn’t, seek an alternative. MIVB customer care call centre can be contacted on 070 23 2000.