The country’s three largest trade unions have announced three days of strike action during the last week of November. A national rail strike will take place on Monday 24 November. On Tuesday 25 November there will be a strike in the public sector. This will be followed by a national strike on Wednesday 26 November.
Last week tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Brussels to express their concerns about the government’s social economic policies. The unions also sent a letter to the Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist) and the federal deputy prime ministers outlining their opposition to the Federal Government’s plans.
However, the unions say that their concerns have not been heard. In joint statement the Christian, socialist and liberal trade unions say that “Despite the large demonstrations we haven’t received any reaction, only a deafening silence from the government”.
The unions (ACV, ABVV and ACLVB) intend to turn up the pressure on the government with a further 3 days of strike action on 24, 25 and 26 November.
A national rail strike will take place on Monday 24 November. On Tuesday 25 November those that work in the public sector will take strike action. On Wednesday 26 November there will be a national strike.
During last week’s national demonstration in Brussels a small number of far-left demonstrators committed acts of violence and vandalism and sought confrontation with the police.