On the third and final day of strike action by trade unionists it is the turn of those in the private sector to down tools. As on Monday and Tuesday public transport workers are also taking industrial action. There are no departures from Brussels Airport at Zaventem (Flemish Brabant) and Charleroi Airport in Hainaut Province expects big disruption due to a lack of staff reporting for work. Elsewhere, factories and some supermarket distribution centres are being picketed and so-called “filter blockades” have been set up on some roads.
Flights diverted, buses and trains cancelled and factories and supermarket distribution centres picketed
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With all departures from Zaventem cancelled, several airlines have diverted flights to Maastricht Airport in the Netherlands. 93 flights due to arrive at Zaventem today (Wednesday 26 November) will be able to land there while 110 flights have been cancelled.
Charleroi Airport says that it cannot guarantee whether flights scheduled to arrive or depart there today will indeed do so.
Busses, trains and trams
For the third consecutive day there is considerable disruption to public transport. In Brussels just 3 of MIVB’s tramroutes and 2 of its metro lines were running on Wednesday morning. None of MIVB’s bys services are running. Click here for the latest update.
The Belgian rail company NMBS says that 60% of Intercity (IC). 40% of suburban (S) and stopping (L) services are running. Click here for more details
The Flemish public transport company De Lijn says that between 55% and 65% of its services are running. It’s a varied picture though and passengers are advised to consult De Lijn’s website www.delijn.be or its app for the latest information.
Supermarkets
Although most supermarkets in Flanders will be open there may be what the retailers describe as “disruption’ caused by stores being short of staff due to the strike.
A blockade of supermarket distribution centres such as Delhaize’s logistic centre in Zellik (Flemish Brabant) may cause disruption to deliveries of fresh products. In Wallonia and in Brussels there is a greater possibility that some supermarkets may be closed.
Roads blocked
Several roads that lead to major industrial sites have been (partially) blocked by strikers. These include the Scheldelaan in the port of Antwerp and the Kennedylaan in Ghent (East Flanders) that will be blocked every hour for between 5 and 10 minutes.
Volvo car assembly plant in Ghent at a standstill
At Volvo in Ghent the morning shift failed to set to work on Wednesday, Volvo management has confirmed. Picket lines have been set up at and around the company. Willingness to strike among the company’s 6,500 employees in Ghent seems high.
It is not yet clear what the afternoon or late shift will do, but it is likely that their willingness to work will also be limited. Staff members who do come to work are being given maintenance tasks on the shop floor. The production line will not be running until further notice.