Due to a train strike, only 2 out of every 3 IC (InterCity) trains will operate today. 3 out of 5 L(ocal) and S(suburban) services are running Belgium’s state-owned rail company NMBS says. The rail company has worked out an alternative train service for the first 2 days of the present strike week organised by the independent trade union METISP-Protect.
Rail strike: 2 in 3 InterCity services running, local and suburban trains hit too
Colin Clapson
Published:
The independent trade union METISP-Protect is calling members out all week to protest against the pension plans of the De Wever I federal government. First the train drivers will walk out and later in the week it’s affiliated train conductors.
The impact of the strike action will vary from day to day. For each strike day, the NMBS will work out an alternative train service based on the staff who have indicated they will turn up for work on that day.
How many rail services will operate will be announced 48 hours before the actual strike day. That information can be found on the NMBS website . 24 hours in advance, you can see which train is running on the NMBS website or app.
Monday and Tuesday
On Monday 24 March, 2 in 3 IC trains and 3 in 5 L and suburban S trains will run. Few P or commuter services are operating: 1 in 5.
On Tuesday 25 March, 7 out of 10 IC trains and 2 out of 3 L and S trains will run. For P trains, the figure is 1 in 5.
METISP-Protect's action follows a 9-day strike by the small rail unions OVS and ASTB in late February and early March.
In addition, the 2 biggest unions, ACOD Spoor and ACV-Transcom, also have 18 days of strike action scheduled through July. A national strike will take place on Monday 31 March, i.e. after the METISP-Protect strike week.