Over a thousand people gathered outside Ghent city hall Wednesday to protest the cuts and job losses decided by Ghent city council. Socialist union ACOD plans a strike on the first day of the Ghent Festival.
An estimated 1,100 demonstrators protested in the Ghent downtown on Wednesday evening against the 350 job losses planned and austerity savings required to shore up local finances.
One Ghent city worker spoke for many: “This is a playful protest because we don’t want to cry, but there is a lot of anger. I am here out of sympathy with my colleagues who will lose their jobs. This is not only a tragedy for them, but the workload will increase everywhere. Everyone in the city is impacted in this way"
Socialist trade union ACOD calls a strike
Trade union ACOD is calling a strike on 18 July. This is a highly symbolic date, as it is the opening day of the Ghent Festival. ‘There were spontaneous actions today and yesterday, but we want to give a clearer signal,’ says Jeroen Demuynck of the socialist union ACOD. ‘Other protests are also planned .’
The Christian ACV union has also announced stoppages during which the local gardens department may walk out for up to 3 hours every day.
"The more of the city's plans emerge, the more citizens will understand that once again they will bear the weight of the cuts," Demuynck continued. "After 4 rounds of cuts, we are clearly saying: enough! The city authorities will face months of social resistance."
Still unclarity on subsidies
The city wants to save 120 million euros a year. Over 350 jobs are to disappear at the City of Ghent. But many organisations are still in the dark about future subsidies. They too headed for Ghent city hall on Wednesday evening. ‘We are asking for clarity AND we want to dialogue with the city, but the city authorities are taking unilateral decision on cash and that is having a heavy impact,’ explains Gregory Cremmerye of “Collective Black Smoke”.
"These are cuts affecting civil servants and civil society. In recent years the city has not managed its finances properly and the wrong people must now pay for that," a city employee noted.