Transport strike, parcel service demonstration leaves Brussels in gridlock

A public transport strike and a demonstration by employees of the DHL parcel service led to traffic gridlock in Brussels early Friday.

Police closed of several major roads in the city during morning rush hour to accommodate the DHL demonstration, where thousands were expected to protest. With public transport unions also going on strike to demand better working conditions, thousands of people were left stranded in traffic-choked streets.

The DHL workers are protesting a decision to move the courier’s international hub away from Brussels as of 2008 in a dispute over excessive noise from night flights. The move will lead to the loss of thousands of jobs.

Brussels tram, bus and subway workers are demanding more personnel and better security on the lines running through the Belgian capital.