Strikes cause disruption on buses and trains

9 May 2005

BRUSSELS – Buses in Wallonia ground to a halt on Monday as drivers went on strike over security and pay.

Almost 100 percent of buses remained at the depots, with only a few private sub-contracted buses running normally.

Drivers say the current proposals of the Regional Walloon Transport Society don’t do enough to keep them and their passengers safe. They also want a larger pay deal.

The management has promised to meet workers on Thursday to discuss the situation, however that is unlikely to avert another strike scheduled for Wednesday.

Passengers using the railways also suffered delays when train guards held a wildcat strike the same morning until 10am.

Guards at Brussels-Midi/Zuid were the first to stop work, followed by colleagues in La Louviere, Charleroi and Mons.

“Our Brussels colleagues have been victims of about 10 attacks last week, including one recent one with a knife,” said union leader Jean-Marc Durieux.

“The strikers are waiting for a meeting with management to talk about the problem and come up with solutions, such as for example, having two guards on the lines that are risky.”

Monday’s strikes led to a number of trains being cancelled and to delays to Liege, Namur, Charleroi-Sud and Mons.

Subject: Belgian news