The unions that represent staff at the Flemish public transport company De Lijn plan to take industrial action on Wednesday 12 March. The unions issued a strike notice on Tuesday. In a statement they said that "This action is a reaction to reduction in the number of services in several areas of Flanders that is having a direct impact on employment”.
Unions at the Flemish public transport company De Lijn plan to strike on 12 March
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The unions says that the changes that have come about as a result of the implementation of the final stage of the ‘Basic Accessibility plan’ (Plan voor Basisbereikbaarheid) are having “a considerable effect on drivers”. Drivers are having to often work “to a fixed shift roster that passes from late to early shifts”
The unions add "That the lack of early shifts means that it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure that there are enough drivers. Drivers are often having to work split shifts, are having to provide cover in the evenings and on Saturdays”.
Irregular working hours
The socialist union ACOD, the Christian union ACV and the liberal union ACLVB also argue that the irregular hours that drivers are having to work are having a major impact on their social and family lives. The unions say this is an "aspect often overlooked by policymakers".
The unions say that the current situation, whereby services and shifts are regularly cancelled, has come about due to a "combination of political bickering and poor management. As the Basic Accessibility Plan has to be budget neutral, De Lijn has been forced to roll out what the unions describe "an impossible reorganisation" of its services and shifts that has resulted in a further reduction in services.
The unions also stress that bus driving has been a bottleneck profession for years more and the changes will make it even more difficult for De Lijn and its sub-contractors to recruit new drivers.