Trains, buses and trams hit by strike on Monday 12 October
Public transport in Belgium will be disrupted on Monday 12 October, when the socialist public sector union ACOD/CGSP holds a strike day across public services. HR Rail, the staff service of rail operator NMBS/SNCB and infrastructure manager Infrabel, has confirmed that the rail union's strike notice is valid, so trains will also be affected. NMBS/SNCB is preparing an alternative timetable, as it usually does on strike days. Bus and tram services of De Lijn and of STIB/MIVB in Brussels have also warned of disruption.
The action is a protest against federal budget plans, including savings in public services, changes to automatic wage indexation and a VAT increase. It falls one day before Prime Minister Bart De Wever is expected to present his policy statement to parliament. All public sectors can take part, so schools, post offices and prisons may also be affected. The Christian public sector union ACV Openbare Diensten is not calling its members to strike.
Who it affects: commuters, pupils, parents and anyone with an appointment at a public office on that Monday. The exact level of service is usually published a day or two before a strike.
What to do: check the NMBS/SNCB website or app and the De Lijn and STIB/MIVB journey planners on the evening of Sunday 11 October. Plan extra travel time or work from home if you can, and ask your school, municipality or public office whether it will be open.