Pension reform in the viewfinder
If Arizona is in the sights of the FGTB (the socialist union), the CSC (the Christian union) and the CGSLB (the liberal union), it is mainly to protest against the probable pension reform. In his “Supernote”, Bart De Wever outlined the Arizona coalition’s major project to make the pension system more sustainable: “The government will implement pension reform aimed at keeping people in work longer. Exemptions and advantageous systems will be gradually eliminated in order to achieve a more transparent and fairer pension system.“
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The future federal government intends to increase the number of actual work for the calculation of the pension which, if it remains fixed at 67 years, could be taken from the accumulation of 42 years of career. This would notably involve reducing the possible periods of assimilation into work (time credits). But the harmonization of statutes (the alignment of the public with the private) and the elimination or reduction of favorable regimes are also on the menu for Arizona. These projects do not at all please the common union front which would like to lower the legal age to 65 years maximum (since January 1, 2025, the legal age is 66 years old, Editor’s note) and cap full careers at 40 years. The unions also emphasize the importance of taking into account the arduousness of the professions.
Disruptions in transport
The demonstration on Monday January 13 will cause disruption in Brussels, but also throughout the rail sector. The SNCB also confirmed that a strike notice had been filed by the railway workers’ union organizations. Rail traffic will be disrupted from Sunday January 12 at 10 p.m. until Monday 13 at the same time.
The common union front would like to lower the legal pension age to 65 (since January 1, 2025, the legal age is 66, Editor’s note) and cap full careers at 40 years.
Regional transport networks will also be impacted, this is the case of the TEC network and of course the Stib, both of which invite you to follow the state of their line in real time on their application. On the Flemish side, De Lijn affirms that its drivers will not take part in the demonstration, but does not rule out a disruption of the lines provided by subcontractors.
Brussels Airport, Bpost and Brussels-property impacted
Brussels waste collection services will also be impacted by the union movement. Bruxelles-propreté still advises residents and business owners in the city to deposit their waste in accordance with the schedule. In the event of a failure to collect, users will be asked to return their bags temporarily.
Bpost workers have also filed a strike notice for Monday, which should cause problems in the distribution of mail and parcels.
Brussels Airport also anticipates that the demonstration will have a significant impact on the functioning of the airport, its officials reported on Friday. “Given the significant impact expected, a large number of flights will have to be canceled or rescheduled,” explains Brussels Airport. “Airlines will contact passengers on affected flights directly.”
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In prisons and education too
If in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FWB), the national demonstration should not cause class closures this Monday, in the north of the country, the Christian and socialist teachers’ unions have announced that they will be on strike.
For higher education students, in the middle of an exam session, the French-speaking student federation (FEF) is calling on universities and colleges to take measures to postpone the exams scheduled for this Monday.
Recently, prison staff announced that they will participate in the union common front demonstration. A work stoppage will be observed in all penitentiary establishments from Sunday January 12 at 10 p.m. until Tuesday January 14 at 6 a.m.
