Air traffic controllers at Charleroi Airport to launch series of night-time strikes from Wednesday

Air traffic controllers at Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) plan to strike every night shift, from 22.00 and 8.00, starting from 16 September.

The industrial action by the Skeyes controllers over night-time bonuses could continue until 10 October.

The announcement followed the failure of conciliation talks between Skeyes management and the unions on Monday, reports RTBF.

Skeyes management “deeply regrets the scale and duration of the announced actions,” noting that it “could have major consequences for Charleroi Airport's operations, airlines and passengers, as well as for the many other businesses and workers dependent on airport activity.”

A strike notice was submitted in late July, although the threatened action did not take place while conciliation proceedings continued.

It said unions were demanding a 160% increase to their night-shift bonus —a figure that “already exceeds €1,000 per shift, per controller.” Management claimed it could not grant this request because the airport was closed at night.

The CSC union said that, "Contrary to claims made, the controllers in question are not demanding an increase in existing bonuses; they currently receive no specific allowance for night work, even though — like their colleagues at other centres — they perform essential duties during the evening, at night, and in the early morning. Their request is simple: to be treated fairly and to enjoy conditions comparable to those of colleagues performing similar roles.”

Independent union VSOA/SLFP pointed out that despite the airport's “theoretical closure” at night, “traffic continues due to an agreement between the airport and Ryanair allowing aircraft based there to land.”