Vaillant heating engineers go on strike as winter nears

Technical staff and other employees of the Vaillant group in Drogenbos began a strike on Thursday morning. This spontaneous action comes as a response to what the staff call “an excessive workload” within the company which is responsible for the installation and maintenance of Vaillant boilers and other brands.

"When it gets colder, there's always more work in our industry," says General Confederation of Liberal Trade Unions of Belgium (CGSLB) delegate Kevin Lefever. "But now it's going too far. Management is further expanding its customer base, which generates a lot of fatigue among our staff who don't even have time to take their lunch break anymore."

This overload of work has been reported to the group’s management, but it appears to be ignoring the comments. "Through this action we want to send a signal and we hope that the staff will be heard," Lefever said. “And if nothing changes, further action can’t be ruled out."

Customers who were waiting for a technician for their boiler can expect a cancellation. "Although we do not prevent people who wish to work," the union representative added. Between 300 and 400 people are employed by Vaillant Group Belgium.