A last ditch talks between management and unions to avert the strike failed. Socialist trade unionist Jos Digneffe is threatening to hold a weekly strike if demands are not met.

The trade unions say they are protesting against efforts to restructure the cargo unit of the state-owned NMBS-SNCB railway company, B-Cargo. They say some 3,000 jobs could be cut as a result.

Strike action will start at 10pm Wednesday evening, paralysing rail traffic.

The strike has already forced Eurostar and Thalys to cancel high-speed rail services on Thursday between Brussels and London, and between Brussels and Paris and Amsterdam.

Jos Digneffe of the socialist trade union ACOD is bracing himself for a fight. "We really want clarity on the restructuring, because if it goes on like this, we are prepared to strike every week, till April if necessary."

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