Belgium faces two rounds of union action this month that are expected to disrupt flights and public transport, with a national demonstration on 9 October followed by a public services strike on 12 October.
Unions FGTB and CSC are organising a march through Brussels on Friday 9 October, gathering at Gare Centrale between 10:00 and 10:30 before moving toward Gare du Midi. The unions are protesting the federal government's budget plans, which are seeking around 10 billion euros in savings to bring Belgium's spending in line with EU targets by 2029, and warn the changes threaten pensions, working conditions and public services. STIB has warned that buses, trams and metro services will be disrupted, and Brussels Airport has said a large number of departing flights will likely be cancelled as ground handling staff join the action, with some arriving flights also affected.
A second strike aimed at the same budget fight
Three days later, on Monday 12 October, the public services union CGSP has called its own members out on strike, timed deliberately to land the day before the prime minister's state of the union address to parliament. The union says the action is meant to put pressure on the same budget negotiations, specifically opposing the 10 billion euro savings target, changes to pensions, and a proposed cap on sick leave for civil servants. The strike is expected to hit SNCB trains, STIB, De Lijn and TEC services, along with prisons, fire services and local administrations, though the Christian trade union CSC Services publics has said it will not join this particular walkout and will instead hold a separate awareness action.