SNCB strike confirmed for Saturday August 17th

After a strike warning was filed by the Independent Railway Workers’ Union and despite holding a conciliation meeting, a strike action will disrupt rail traffic this Saturday, August 17th, reported the SNCB. The railway company also prepares a guaranteed service “to minimize the inconveniences for travelers.”

The Union denounces a recurrent lack of staff among train attendants.

For its part, the SNCB recognizes that the summer period “is not an easy period for its employees” and that it is “not always easy” for its train attendants and ticket controllers to take leave during the summer holidays.

SNCB, however, says it conducts “constructive discussions with the social partners” and is working “on concrete solutions.”

“Despite a series of concrete commitments that had already been announced, the Union nevertheless chose to use the weapon of the strike,” regretted the railway company in a statement.

The strike on August 17th, which will take place during the weekend of the Pukkelpop festival in Hasselt, is the second after a similar move by the Union during the last weekend of July.