Brussels fire service threatens strike action

The trade union SLFP/VSOA representing fire service personnel in the Brussels region has issued an announcement of coming industrial action beginning on Monday. The union is protesting at the failure of the Brussels region to respond to complaints.

The union's main complaint is the continuing absence of a regulation on working conditions, which has been a legal requirement for public services since 2003, said the union's Eric Labourdette. As a result, many fire stations in the capital are suffering from material and infrastructure problems. Unions also criticise the deteriorating state of relations since the arrival of new director-general Chantal Jordan several months ago.

The response of the management of the fire service left little hope of reconciliation, describing the union's announcement as “taking the public hostage” and lamented in advance the “serious disturbances in the public space and in traffic” which would be the consequence of any industrial action, accusing the union of “shamefully exploiting the sympathy and trust which the fire service enjoys among public and press.”