Three smaller unions that represent staff at the Belgian rail company NMBS intend to strike from Monday to Friday during the last week of the month. The train drivers’ union ASTB announced on its Facebook page that it has issued a strike notice covering the 5 days from the evening of Sunday 23 to the evening of Friday 28 February.
The strike will start at 10pm on the evening of Sunday 23 February and last until 10pm on the evening of Friday 28 February. The strike will be national and all train drivers and shunters that are members of ASTB are covered by the strike notice.
The Independent Railway Workers Union (OVS) and the liberal trade union VSOA Spoor both of whom form a front with ASTB will also file strike notices that are likely to cover the same period soon. These unions represent other railway staff.
Against reform of the pension system
The reason for the discontent among rail workers is the federal coalition agreement. “The pension reform and changes to labour law will directly affect all railway staff at NMBS at all levels”, the unions have previously said.
Raising the retirement age for rail staff and greater flexibility that will be required of them are among the main sources of grievance.