Arizona’s nine-day railway strike, led by the Independent Union of Railway Workers (SIC) and the Autonomous Union of Train Drivers (SACT), is set to conclude on Sunday at 22:00, with rail services expected to resume normally from Monday.
The strike was the first major industrial action under the new government’s tenure, sparked by opposition to proposed pension reforms and other contentious measures.
SNCB, the national railway company, and infrastructure manager Infrabel managed to mitigate the strike’s impact by adjusting schedules daily based on staff availability.
Despite these efforts, the walkout caused significant disruptions for commuters and freight services alike, underscoring the depth of dissatisfaction among railway workers.
An SNCB spokesperson confirmed that normal traffic would resume on Monday, bringing temporary relief to thousands of passengers who faced cancellations and delays.
The strike highlighted growing tensions between the new government and public sector workers, particularly regarding the pension reform plan that unions argue would erode workers’ rights and financial security.
Union leaders have condemned the proposed changes as a direct attack on their members’ futures, vowing to intensify their protests if the government does not reconsider its stance.
However, the end of this strike does not signal the end of disruptions. Union leaders have already announced a series of strikes in the coming weeks.
On Monday, 17 March, all railway workers are scheduled to strike, which is likely to cause widespread cancellations and delays.
Later, on 31 March, two more powerful unions—CGSP Cheminots/ACOD Spoor and CSC/ACV Transcom—will join a broader public services strike, further escalating the standoff with the government.
The prospect of continued industrial action has raised concerns among business leaders and passengers alike. Many fear that prolonged disruptions could have a lasting economic impact, particularly if freight transport continues to be affected.
Commuters, meanwhile, have expressed frustration at the ongoing uncertainty and the potential for extended delays.
Looking further ahead, unions have threatened to strike for four days each month starting in April if their demands are not met.
The small but influential METISP-Protect union has also announced a new strike from Sunday, 23 March, to Sunday, 30 March, signaling that the industrial unrest may be far from over.
The government has so far shown little willingness to back down, arguing that the pension reforms are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the public sector.
However, analysts warn that a failure to negotiate a compromise could see tensions escalate further, potentially leading to even more severe disruptions in the months ahead.
As the deadline approaches for Monday’s strike, all eyes will be on the government and union leaders to see if any last-minute negotiations can avert further chaos. For now, Arizona’s railway passengers face an uncertain and potentially turbulent journey ahead.
