Belgian unions call nationwide action and public-sector strike over budget cuts

On Friday, the Christian trade union ACV and its socialist counterpart ABVV will stage a national day of action to oppose the De Wever I government’s budget proposals, with a further public-sector strike scheduled for Monday. In Brussels, ABVV will march from Central Station to Brussels-South Station under the slogan “Hands off our pockets,” while ACV plans protests outside the headquarters of N-VA, CD&V, Vooruit, MR and Les Engagés, demanding meetings with party leaders.

De Lijn has announced that roughly 60 percent of its buses and trams will continue operating, leaving significant gaps in service across Flemish regions. The education union ACOD Onderwijs also joins the actions, warning of possible school disruptions on both days. Unions argue the budget cuts will burden ordinary citizens and present an alternative plan they claim could generate up to €21 billion without severe austerity measures. Synova will pursue its own dialogue but will not join Friday’s street actions.