Brussels, March 21, 2025 – Belgian commuters face yet another disruption in rail services as the independent railway union METISP-Protect has called for a week-long strike, set to begin on Sunday, March 23, at 22:00 and lasting until Sunday, March 30, at 22:00.
The strike, which will involve railway employees across all departments, is expected to significantly impact train operations nationwide.
The national rail operator, SNCB/NMBS, has confirmed that an alternative minimal train service will be arranged each day, depending on staff availability.
“The impact of the strike will vary from day to day and may be greater on weekdays than on weekends,” SNCB/NMBS said in a statement. Passengers are urged to check train schedules daily via the company’s website or mobile app.
Dissatisfaction Over Government Reforms
METISP-Protect has justified the strike as a necessary measure to defend workers’ rights against government reforms that they claim will degrade public service quality and railway personnel’s working conditions. Key grievances include:
- The proposed abolition of HR Rail, which the union argues threatens the integrated railway service model.
- A planned €250 million budget cut by 2029.
- Worsening employment conditions, including increased retirement age for train drivers.
- The gradual replacement of the civil service status with private contracts.
Despite ongoing negotiations with Federal Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke and Pensions Minister Jan Jambon, the union remains steadfast in its opposition, deeming the government’s plans unacceptable.
Commuters Advised to Plan Ahead
To mitigate disruption, SNCB/NMBS will publish a transport plan 48 hours in advance and provide real-time updates 24 hours before travel. Affected passengers can also obtain a strike certificate from the SNCB/NMBS website to confirm canceled train services.
International train operations—including Eurostar, TGV INOUI, EuroCity, EuroCity Direct, ICE, and OUIGO—are not expected to be directly affected.
However, travelers are advised to check the SNCB international travel page for updates. Border-crossing routes, such as those to Roosendaal, Maastricht, Aachen, Luxembourg, Lille, and Maubeuge, may experience some disruptions due to alternative train services.
Further Strikes on the Horizon
The current industrial action is just one of many planned for the coming months. Immediately following this strike, a general strike is set for Monday, March 31, with participation from major unions ACOD Spoor and ACV-Transcom.
Looking ahead, railway workers will stage an additional 18 days of strikes before July, escalating tensions between unions and the government.
The Belgian train drivers’ union ASTB-SACT has also announced plans for six strike days in April, followed by two weeks of industrial action per month starting in May.
With negotiations at an impasse and unions determined to fight against government cuts, rail passengers across Belgium are bracing for a prolonged period of disruption.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
