Fire brigade suspends strike action

Brussels fire service unions have suspended a notice of industrial action announced last week until 28 November, the union SLFP/VSOA said.

The action, due to start on Monday, was in protest at the failure of the Brussels region to address fire service grievances – among them the continuing lack of an agreement on working conditions, which has been a legal requirement since the introduction of a new public services regulation in 2003.

The unions also complain that material and buildings across the region are falling into disrepair, while relations with management are deteriorating since the arrival of new director-general Chantal Jordan in February this year.

The decision to postpone the industrial action notice until the end of the month was taken after a meeting with Brussels secretary of state Christos Doulkeredis, who promised to advertise vacancies for four senior officers' posts, in response to another of the union's complaints.