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Belgian Public Transport Faces Disruptions as Unions Launch Five-Day Strike
Belgian unions,including the SETca,are set to begin a five-day strike on January 26th,2026,protesting government policies impacting public transport workers. The strike is expected to cause significant disruptions to services operated by TEC (Wallonia) and SNCB (national rail).
Strike Details and Timeline
The mobilization began on January 25th, 2026, at 10:00 PM and will continue untill January 30th, 2026, at 10:00 PM. A primary rally will be held on Monday, January 26th, at 10:00 AM on Place Albertine, adjacent to Brussels Central Station. While a minimum service will be maintained by SNCB, the extent of disruptions remains uncertain. Passengers are advised to check the websites of TEC and SNCB for real-time service updates.
According to ACV Transcom, different categories of rail personnel will strike on varying days throughout the week.
TEC Concerns: Cuts to Worker Benefits
The strike action stems from a law approved by the federal government just before the Christmas holidays, spearheaded by Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés). A key provision of this law will end permanent employment contracts at SNCB and Infrabel starting in June 2026.
For the TEC,unions are protesting austerity measures imposed by the Walloon government on the Walloon Transport Operator (OTW). These measures include the elimination of “heat allowances,” increased service to private companies, the termination of long-term illness benefits, and revisions to work schedules.
“Through these measures, management is announcing the cancellation of heat allowances, more lines to private companies, the end of allowances linked to long-term illnesses, the overhaul of working hours… We regret to see that savings are only being considered at the expense of workers,” stated the CGSLB, a participating union. pascal Bailly, CGSLB TEC Walloon representative, emphasized that these benefits were originally negotiated in lieu of salary increases and should not be easily removed. He noted a unified front among the unions: “We are clearly on a common front.”
Impact on Travelers
Travelers using TEC and SNC