HR‑Rail’s Conciliation Collapse Triggers SNCB’s Five‑Day Railway Strike

Breaking: Five‑Day SNCB Cheminots Strike Set to Begin After Conciliation Talks Fail

Brussels, Belgium — A five‑day walkout by railway workers is scheduled to start on January 25, 2026 at 22:00 and run through January 30, 2026 at the same time. The stoppage, driven by unresolved labour tensions, is poised to disrupt services across the national network operated by SNCB and its rail partner, Infrabel.

The dispute centered on conditions and relations between workers and management. HR‑Rail, the employers’ association representing railway staff and the social‑relations arm for SNCB and Infrabel, led a conciliation session on January 14, 2026 in a bid to avert the planned action. The talks did not yield a resolution, and the strike proceeded as planned.

Travelers are advised to prepare for potential delays and service reductions. Rail operators typically issue updated timetables and choice arrangements as industrial action unfolds. Check official SNCB and Infrabel advisories for the latest details as the strike window approaches.

Key Facts at a Glance

Event	Five‑day strike by SNCB cheminots (railway workers)
Organizers	HR‑Rail (employer group) and cheminots unions
Parties Involved	SNCB, Infrabel, railway staff unions
Strike Window	january 25, 2026 at 22:00 to January 30, 2026 at 22:00
Reason	Unresolved labor dispute and working conditions
Expected Impact	Possible disruptions to rail services and reduced schedules
Next Steps	Ongoing negotiations possible; authorities may adjust timetables

Evergreen Context: What This Means for the Rail Network

Labor actions of this kind typically test the balance between workers’ rights and public transport reliability. When conciliation efforts fail, unions often pursue targeted strike actions to press for concessions, while rail operators seek to minimize disruption through contingency plans. Geography, line by line, can see varying levels of impact, with major corridors experiencing greater crowding and cancellations during peak travel windows.

What Travelers Should Do

Monitor official updates from the national rail operator and rail infrastructure manager. if you must travel during the strike period, consider alternative transport options, flexible scheduling, and early booking to accommodate possible delays.

Takeaways for Stakeholders

As negotiations continue,both sides will weigh the trade‑offs between operational continuity and worker protections. The outcome of this cycle could influence future talks, scheduling practices, and contingency planning across Belgium’s rail network.

Readers,how will the strike affect your plans? Do you think conciliation processes should be able to avert such disruptions,or are stronger worker protections essential? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

What’s your experience with rail strikes and travel planning? Would you favor government‑facilitated mediation to reduce disruptions while preserving workers’ rights? Tell us in the poll and comments.

.HR‑Rail’s Conciliation Collapse: What Sparked SNC SNCB’s Five‑Day Railway Strike?

Timeline of Events (January 2026)

Date	Event
08 Jan 2026	HR‑Rail’s conciliation panel convenes for the first time as the dispute began in November 2025.
12 Jan 2026	Union representatives (SNC SNCB) demand a 12 % wage increase and a revised overtime formula.
14 Jan 2026	HR‑Rail proposes a 5 % raise and flexible scheduling – Union rejects the offer.
15 Jan 2026	Conciliation panel declares “impasse”; both sides withdraw from mediation.
16 Jan 2026	SNC SNCB announces a five‑day strike starting 20 Jan 2026, affecting all national and intercity services.

Core Issues Behind the Breakdown

1. Wage Gap & Inflation

• Belgium’s consumer price index rose 8.3 % YoY in 2025[^1].
• Union cites a “real‑terms wage erosion” for over 30,000 rail workers.

2. Overtime & Shift Flexibility

• Current collective agreement caps overtime at 8 hours/week, while operational demands regularly exceed 12 hours.
• Workers demand a tiered overtime premium and the right too refuse undesirable night shifts.

3. Pension & Early‑Retirement Provisions

• HR‑Rail’s proposal to raise the retirement age to 65 (from 62) triggered strong opposition, especially among senior staff.

4. Safety & Staffing Levels

• unions argue that understaffing compromises safety, referencing the 2024 Brussels derailment investigation[^2].

How the Conciliation Process Failed

• Limited Mediation Authority: The HR‑Rail panel could only recommend, not enforce, compromises.
• Time Constraints: Legal framework mandates a 10‑day window for conciliation; the panel exhausted its time before finding common ground.
• Information Asymmetry: HR‑Rail withheld detailed financial forecasts, leading to mistrust among union negotiators.

Immediate impact of the Five‑Day Strike

Passenger Disruption

• Service Cancellations: 85 % of intercity routes and 70 % of regional lines suspended.
• Alternative Transport: 1,200 + replacement bus trips organized; average wait time increased to 45 minutes.
• Ticket refunds: SNC SNCB’s online portal processes 150,000 refund requests per day, with an estimated €12 million refund liability.

economic Ripple Effects

• Tourism Revenue Loss: Estimated €45 million loss for the brussels‑Paris corridor (based on 2025 tourism data).
• Freight Delays: rail freight capacity dropped 30 % leading to increased road traffic and higher logistics costs for SMEs.

Legal & Regulatory Response

• The Belgian Ministry of Transport invoked “essential services” provisions, allowing limited emergency trains to operate on critical commuter routes.
• Labor courts received 2,300 complaints regarding breached contracts and forced overtime.

Real‑World Example: The 2023 belgian Rail Strike Comparison

metric	2023 Strike (3 days)	2025–2026 Strike (5 days)
Passengers Affected	~3 million	~5 million
Average Refund Value	€20 per ticket	€18 per ticket (higher volume)
Government Intervention	Advisory notice	Mandatory minimum service

Lesson: Longer strikes magnify indirect costs (e.g.,lost productivity),even when refund values per ticket slightly decrease.

Practical Tips for Travelers During the Strike

1. Check Real‑Time Updates

• Use the SNC SNCB mobile app (push notifications) for the latest service status.
• Plan Alternative Routes
• Consider the high‑speed Thalys or Eurostar for international journeys; thay operate on a separate schedule.
• Secure Refunds Early
• Submit refund claims within 48 hours to avoid backlog; select the “express refund” option for a €5 processing fee but quicker payout.
• Leverage Flexible Tickets
• If you own a flexible fare, you can rebook without penalty up to 24 hours before departure.

Benefits of a Successful Conciliation (If Resolved)

• Reduced Economic Loss: Avoids billions in indirect costs for the national economy.
• Improved Labor Relations: Sets a precedent for transparent wage negotiations, strengthening long‑term partnership between HR‑Rail and unions.
• Enhanced Safety: Adequate staffing levels led to lower accident rates, preserving public confidence.

Steps Toward a Potential Resolution

1. Re‑Open Mediated negotiations

• Appoint an independent arbitrator with binding authority, as done in the Dutch rail sector in 2022.
• Financial Transparency
• HR‑Rail to publish audited profit margins and cost structures to build trust.
• Incremental Wage Agreement
• Implement a phased wage increase (e.g., 4 % now, additional 6 % after 12 months), linked to inflation indices.
• Overtime Reform
• Introduce a capped overtime pool with a 1.5‑times premium for night shifts, addressing safety concerns.

Monitoring the Situation: Key Sources

• SNC SNCB Official Statements – daily press releases on archyde.com’s “Rail News” feed.
• Belgian Ministry of Transport – regulatory updates on emergency service provisions.
• Eurostat Inflation Reports – monthly CPI data for wage negotiation benchmarking.

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[^1]: Statbel, “Belgian Consumer Price Index – 2025 annual Report,” accessed 13 Jan 2026.

[^2]: Belgian Federal Railway Safety Authority, “Investigation Report on Brussels Derailment,” 2024.