Police threaten strike in holiday pay row

29 March 2005

BRUSSELS – The Belgian police are threatening to go on strike over holiday pay, unions have warned.

Strike action may take place on 7 April but a final decision is still to be taken.

The brewing dispute is over negotiations to raise holiday pay for public sector workers.

Talks are ongoing for each sector to fix the exact rise and its entry into force, but negotiations have not yet begun for police officers.

The interior minister has not yet made a budget proposal to change the rules for police officers.

This means theoretically that local and federal officers could begin strike action on 7 April and continue until 11 September.

“We want to pile on pressure with one clear signal at the beginning,” said CGSP union leader Jan Adam.

But he added that the unions were still leaving all options open for discussion.

Subject: Belgian news