Unions intend to keep the pressure up, national strike in February a possibility
The trade unions feel strengthened following the big turnout at Monday's demonstration against the parties involved in the federal government coalition’s pension plans. They intend to keep up the pressure on negotiators and they plan another demonstration in Brussels next month. A national strike may also be on the cards.
The leader of the Christian trade union ACV Ann Vermorgen told VRT News that pensions are something that people are greatly concerned about and that she hopes that the negotiators have woken up. Ms Vermogen is pleased with the turnout at Monday’s demonstration. Around 30,000 people took part.
Many of them were teachers, a group that will be hit particularly hard if the coalition negotiators’ plans become law. The unions fear that teachers and civil servants will have to work longer for less pension.
The unions were surprised by the big turnout at Monday’s march. The General Secretary of the socialist trade union ABVV Bert Engelaar told our weekday topical debate programme ‘De Afspraak’ that “We had actually planned small-scale action. But we felt the anxiety, the anger and the indignation about the plans. The message we got from our members led us to scale up our action”.
Another demonstration next month
The unions want to keep up the momentum. Further protests are planned for February.
The plans on the table at the federal coalition talks are described by the unions as “socially regressive”. “Once again, working people and the most vulnerable in society will foot the bill” they say.
Next month's action will focus on public services. On Thursday 13 February, the socialist, liberal and Christian trade unions will organise a demonstration through the centre of Brussels.
National strike?
Whether we can expect a wave of protest and strikes in the spring will depend on what is in the federal coalition agreement, the unions say. “If it the agreement is completely imbalanced and lacking social fascets, it will of course provoke reaction”’ Ms Vermorgen said.
Meanwhile the Francophone leader of the socialist trade union ABVV Thierry Bodson already has already spoken of a 24-hour general strike. The union’s General Secretary Bert Engelaar confirms that “This is a possibility. But we are going to wait and see what is finally decided by a new government.”
The negotiators have not reacted to the threat of further industrial action.