- Title: BELGIUM-STRIKE Belgian strike hits rail services, Antwerp port
- Date: 24th November 2014
- Summary: ANTWERP, BELGIUM (NOVEMBER 24, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ANTWERP PORT VARIOUS OF WORKERS ON STRIKE AT PORT VARIOUS OF STRIKERS GATHERING AROUND BONFIRE SIGN READING (Dutch): 'DOCKWORKERS SAY NO TO COALITION AGREEMENT' VARIOUS OF STRIKERS IN FRONT OF PORT SIGN FOR BTB (BELGIAN TRANSPORT UNION) STRIKERS INCLUDING NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF PORTS AT BELGIAN TRANSPORT UNION (BTB) MARC LORIDAN TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF PORTS AT BELGIAN TRANSPORT UNION (BTB), MARC LORIDAN, SAYING: "As it is well known, we are protesting against the anti-social government that is currently in place. I can't repeat it enough, measures such as no index adjustment, another two years without salary increase, and then an increase of the retirement age have been imposed on us without any consultation with the unions. That's the reason why we are joining the interprofessional action." VARIOUS OF STRIKERS GATHERING (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) ANTWERP PORT DOCKER, DONALD VERTOMMEN, SAYING: "It comes down to that we will have to work longer for less money. But especially at the harbour it's always been a profession that is quite dangerous. We always have to keep our eyes open, accidents regularly happen and we also try to minimise this. But in the end it remains a tough profession and I don't think they should touch our money, because after all we have to take up our responsibilities at the port." VARIOUS OF STRIKERS GATHERING VARIOUS OF ANTWERP PORT EXTERIOR OF ANTWERP TRAIN STATION INTERIOR OF ANTWERP TRAIN STATION SIGN ANNOUNCING TRAIN CANCELLATIONS DUE TO STRIKE ACTION AFFECTED TRAIN PASSENGER AND TEACHER FROM PARIS ELIA MADAMBU WAITING AT STATION (SOUNDBITE) (French) AFFECTED TRAIN PASSENGER AND TEACHER FROM PARIS, ELIA MADAMBU, SAYING: "There is no information, no information at all. From time to time, I hear some communication in Flemish, but I don't understand that very well and there is no translation in French or English. So it's a bit tough to understand what it is all about. But I understand it's a strike." EMPTY TRAIN STATION PASSENGERS READING TIMETABLES ON BOARDS VARIOUS OF EMPTY TRAIN PLATFORMS EMPTY ESCALATOR BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (NOVEMBER 24, 2014) (REUTERS) WOMAN LOOKING AT DEPARTURE BOARD IN BRUSSELS MIDI STATION DEPARTURE BOARD SHOWING CANCELLED TRAINS TO SCHAARBEEK, GHENT AND ANTWERP DEPARTURE BOARD READING (French and Dutch): 'ANTWERP CENTRAL, CANCELLED' PASSENGERS WAITING PASSENGER WALKING AWAY WITH SUITCASE
- Embargoed: 9th December 2014 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Belgium
- Country: Belgium
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAEZXPTKL8XFNDCZQM196G2O5R4
- Story Text: A strike in parts of Belgium on Monday (November 24) disrupted rail services and one of Europe's largest ports as trade unions and workers voiced their anger over austerity measures announced by the country's new government.
Unions have planned a series of regional strikes on every Monday until December 15, when they plan a day of nationwide action.
Antwerp, one of Europe's largest ports, was hit by Monday's strike.
National Chairman of ports at the Belgian Transport Union (BTB) Marc Loridan expressed his dissatisfaction with the centre-right government which took office in October.
"As it is well known, we are protesting against the antisocial government that is currently in place. I can't repeat it enough, measures such as no index adjustment, another two years without salary increase, and then an increase of the retirement age have been imposed on us without any consultation with the unions. That's the reason why we are joining the interprofessional action," he said.
Monday's strike in Antwerp was peaceful, although there had initially been concerns after a demonstration against austerity in Brussels this month ended in violent clashes between a few hundred protesters and police.
Docker Donald Vertommen told Reuters Television he was taking part in the action at Antwerp port over concerns for his salary.
"It comes down to that we will have to work longer for less money. But especially at the harbour it's always been a profession that is quite dangerous. We always have to keep our eyes open, accidents regularly happen and we also try to minimise this. But in the end it remains a tough profession and I don't think they should touch our money, because after all we have to take up our responsibilities at the port," he said.
National rail operator SNCB said trains were running with severe disruption across its network on Monday.
Passenger Elia Madambu from Paris at Antwerp Central train station said he had received little information.
"There is no information, no information at all. From time to time, I hear some communication in Flemish, but I don't understand that very well and there is no translation in French or English. So it's a bit tough to understand what it is all about. But I understand it's a strike," he said.
High speed operator Thalys, which runs trains to Amsterdam and Paris, said it had cancelled some trains from Sunday to Tuesday and would divert some services on Monday.
Eurostar, which runs trains to London, said it planned to operate a regular service on Monday but added that there could be disruptions.
Belgium's federal government embarked on a programme to reform pensions and cut health and social security budgets, which it says is needed to cut a public sector debt of around 100 percent of annual economic output and to raise competitiveness.
Unions say the cuts are unjust and those on lower incomes bear the brunt of the measures. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
