Unions demonstrate at Brussels airport over night flight dispute
Unions demonstrated at Brussels international airport and delayed some flights Friday to push their demands for a deal between the authorities and parcel service DHL that would keep thousands of jobs in Belgium.
Airport workers have been outraged that an agreement has stalled for weeks over how to balance DHL’s demands for more night flights with local residents’ concerns over noise.
“We limited our action because we did not want to pester the passengers,” said union representative Hendrik Vermeersch. “We wanted to give the authorities and DHL a signal that enough is enough. We need a deal now.”
Several hundred workers assembled in the departure hall for a short demonstration, which affected a few flights. Employees of other companies at the airport joined in.
Meanwhile, DHL was expected to answer a request from the government that asked from a clear commitment to use less noisy planes for overnight intercontinental flights. DHL wants to expand its hub in Brussels, which would bring more jobs but also increased noise pollution.
The issue has gained center stage over the past two weeks because it highlights the struggle within the government to meet its commitment to increase employment in Belgium, even if doing so may come at the cost of more environmental damage.
For days, regional authorities have been unsuccessfully negotiating over whose territory the proposed increase in night flights should go.
The international parcel service is considering moving its hub out of Belgium, either to Leipzig, Germany or Vatry, France, if it cannot increase night flights. The company provides direct and indirect employment for about 5,800 people.
