Talks continue as De Lijn strike enters second week

Staff at Flemish public transport operator De Lijn will meet management on Tuesday in an attempt to bring an end to a week-long strike that has disrupted services around Brussels' suburbs.

A mediator has been appointed to help management and unions reach an agreement. Meanwhile about 10% of buses in Flemish Brabant remained cancelled on Monday in the seventh consecutive day of strike action.

The walkout affects bus lines operated from depots in Grimbergen, Londerzeel, Asse, Vilvoorde, Dilbeek, Meerbeke, and Leerbeek.

Some staff in Leuven have also joined the strike in solidarity - and socialist trade union Acod has called on De Lijn drivers elsewhere in Flanders to walk out on strike this Wednesday if a resolution cannot be found at Tuesday's meeting.

The bus drivers are protesting about short-staffing, which has led to irregular work patterns and scheduling problems. De Lijn said in a statement that it regrets the ongoing industrial action and remains open to negotiation.