SNCB train conductors to go on strike this Saturday

Independent railway union SIC has said itwill go on a day-long strike this Saturday, 17 August.

SIC labour unionists made the announcement after national rail authority SNCB earlier failed to meet their demands during a meeting earlier today.

The independent SIC union want SNCB management to guarantee that every train conductor will be able to take a couple of days off this summer, which the rail operator said would be difficult because of severe and continuing staff shortages.

SNCB have said they will put in place a guaranteed train service to limit the impact on travellers as much as possible. This means it will ask train conductors whether they plan on participating in the strike and put together an alternative train schedule for Saturday based on the train conductors’ responses.

Saturday is the third day of the popular Pukkelpop festival in Kievit, a Limburg town close to Hasselt, and many music lovers are expected to travel to the fest by train.

“From Friday on, our journey planner will allow you to check which trains will ride out and which ones won’t,” SCNB spokesperson Dimitri Temmerman told vrt nws. He said the rail authority would also do everything it could to ensure enough trains headed to Hasselt ride out on Saturday in spite of the strike.

Photo: Belga / Benoit Doppagne

Written by Linda A. Thompson