A three-day strike by Belgian railway workers began Monday, disrupting train services across the country. According to the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS), seven out of ten Intercity (IC) trains are expected to run, whereas approximately half of local L and S trains will operate. P-trains, typically used during peak hours, will be significantly reduced.
The strike, initiated solely by the socialist railway union ACOD Spoor, is scheduled to continue through Wednesday, March 11th, concluding at 10:00 PM local time. The union is protesting government plans to end fixed appointments within the railway system and changes to pension rights for railway personnel.
Travelers are advised to consult the online journey planner for updated information, as the impact of the strike is expected to vary daily. The NMBS stated that the alternative train schedule for Monday was available starting Sunday, with adjustments for Tuesday becoming available Monday morning.
What we have is the 33rd strike day affecting Belgian railways in the past year. A previous strike notice for February 5th, 10th, and 12th was rejected by HR Rail, the personnel service of NMBS and Infrabel, but the union appealed to the Council of State and lost the case.
While seven out of ten IC trains are scheduled to run on both Monday and Tuesday, three out of five local L and S trains are expected to be operational on Tuesday. The number of P-trains will remain limited. The situation for Wednesday remains unclear.
In addition to the strike, train traffic between Brussels-North and Brussels-South is already disrupted due to major renovation work this weekend, with many trains bypassing Brussels-Central and Brussels-North stations.
