Strike set to cause delivery delays in Belgium on Monday

Mail and parcel deliveries in Belgium look set to be delayed by a 24-hour nationwide strike among public service workers, being called for Monday (30 January). The strike has been called by three major union federations in Belgium – the General Federation of Belgian Labour (ABVV), the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (ACV) and the General Confederation of Liberal Trade Unions of Belgium (ACLVB).

Unions are protesting austerity measures from the new Belgian coalition government, and said in a statement that a strike was needed to convince the government and employers not to cut social benefits.

The strike will coincide with an EU summit in Brussels that is to discuss budget rules for EU Member States, and is expected to see widespread transport disruption with striking workers planning to blockade airports, stations and ports. Rail services and air cargo services are set to be affected including closure of Charleroi Airport.

The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) advised today that all transport will grind to a halt in Belgium.

David Cockroft, the ITF general secretary, said: “On Monday in Belgium, transport stops. Planes, trains and ports will all be affected. All part of a day of protest by the country’s workers and unions, who are saying no to further cuts being forced through by a government acting dangerously recklessly under pressure to meet EU targets.”

Belgium postal service bpost warned customers today that the action officially running from 10pm on Sunday (29 January) until 10pm on Monday, is likely to see delays in its services.

In a statement, bpost advised: “Our international sorting centre in Brussels will be open and accessible, so it will be possible to drop off your items. However, please note that in consequence of the strike, distribution could be subject to a one-day delay.”