The French-speaking government union CSC Services publics threatens with harsh actions in the Brussels and Walloon hospitals after the agreement within the government on a mandatory vaccination for healthcare staff. The French-speaking trade union front announces a day of action on 7 December. Flanders does not follow. ‘The situation is different here’, says ACV Puls.
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The federal core cabinet has reached an agreement on Friday a regulation for compulsory vaccination in healthcare. From 1 January, healthcare staff will have three months to be vaccinated. Anyone who refuses to do so will be fired and immediately receive full unemployment benefits, or will be suspended without pay.
The deal provides a sort of loophole compared to an earlier government compromise. Healthcare personnel who indicate this in writing before 31 March can also simply be suspended. In that case, you will be without wages or benefits, but the employment contract will continue to exist.
That is not enough for the French-speaking government union CSC Services publics. ‘Why should a sanction be attached to non-vaccination?’, said national union secretary Véronique Sabel. CSC Services publics had previously submitted a strike notice for the Brussels and Walloon hospitals. This notice takes effect on Monday and is valid for a whole week.
The common trade union front in French-speaking Belgium announces a day of action on 7 December against the government agreement. According to the health care unions, the threat of sanctions will only increase the workload in the sector, and will also reduce the quality of care.
The Flemish trade unions have not submitted a strike notice and do not intend to, writes sister newspaper The newspapaer. ‘We are not going to take any action on this,’ says Jan Piet Bauwens, vice-chairman of the socialist BBTK. ‘I would rather see action red the shortage of staff. Today it’s all about vaccination, but please don’t let the system implode.’
Unions displeased
‘We are not against compulsory vaccination’, explained Olivier Remy, federal representative at ACV Puls, the largest trade union in the healthcare sector. to this newspaper. “But laying off staff at a time when infections are rising and the pressure on healthcare institutions is rising again is really not a good idea.” He now informs sister newspaper Het Nieuwsblad that there will be no actions in Flanders. ‘The context in Flanders is different from that in Wallonia. The vaccination rate in hospitals and residential care centers is much lower there than here.’
Correction (20/11/2021):In the original quote, Olivier Remy said they are not “against a mandatory vaccination if it is widely adopted”. He says that they are not against compulsory vaccination, without further ado. ACV Puls is against the way it is currently being introduced.
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