Train drivers union ASTB, which last week called a strike on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, is also sticking to the 48-hour strike, ASTB reports on Facebook. The Independent Union of Railway Staff (OVS) has announced that it supports the strike of the major unions ACV, ACOD and VSOA as well as that of ASTB. The ASTB complains, among other things, that safety is compromised and working conditions are deteriorating.
“At the reconciliation meeting on Friday, it was proposed to hold an additional steering committee on Monday, but concrete proposals could not be made with guarantees,” said Blauwens of ACOD Spoor. “We have asked for figures and commitments, but they are not available yet. The proposals that have been made are not very concrete”.
The common trade union front therefore complies with the strike ban, says Blauwens. It will be the second specific railway strike in a short time. On October 5, there was already a 24-hour strike. On 9 November, there was also disruption on the track as part of the national inter-professional strike and the trade union day of action.
Lack of investment
Now the major unions strike again from November 28th 10pm to November 29th 10pm. They denounce the lack of investment at the railway company NMBS and the infrastructure manager Infrabel. The unions consider the investments that the government has committed to the railways at the end of the last budget conclave to be insufficient. The unions also repeat other demands, such as measures to stop the deterioration of working conditions. This decline is mainly due to staff shortages.
HR-Rail also announces that an alternative transport plan is being provided again, which travelers will be able to consult at the latest the day before departure.
