Strikes affecting Belgian airports in 2014-2015

[sn26567]

The airport of Brussels South Charleroi will be completely closed on Monday, 24 November, due to the general strike in the provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, Hainaut and Luxembourg.

The trade union front FGTB-CSC-CGSLB told the managers of Charleroi Airport (BSCA) it intended to block the site on November 24 on the occasion of the general strike in Hainaut. A significant part of BSCA workers and its subcontractors should be on strike.

The managing director of Charleroi Airport (BSCA) Jean-Jacques Cloquet said Charleroi airport would remain open with adequate staff despite trade unions to take actions on the site the same day. "If the site is blocked, it will be the responsibility of the unions, not ours," said Jean-Jacques Cloquet.

Comment: IMHO, if the Managing Director says that the airport can function with adequate staff, it would be unacceptable for the unions to block access to the airport. It is also ironic that a strike meant to bring the airport to a standstill is called an "action".

[Stij]

The trade Unions are so lazy they call a strike an action day (Coluche)

It's everyone's right to strike, it's nobody's right to keep someone else from working. It should be as simple as that, but not here!

Cheers,

Stij

[Acid-drop]

shouldn't they move the flights to a province that is not on strike that day ?

[Stij]

Good point! Make Brussels Airport their day!

Cheers,

Stij

[airazurxtror]

A strike is due in Brussels and both Brabant on 8 december; a general strike in Belgium on 15 december.
These strikes probably will have an impact on Brussels Airport, if only on the trains and buses to the airport.
(and a strike in provincie Antwerpen this monday 24 november).

[sn26567]

(and a strike in provincie Antwerpen this monday 24 november).

We know already that CRL will be closed this Monday. Do you have any information about the situation at ANR?

[MD-11forever]

The socialist trade Union (ABVV) asks employees at Brussels Airport to go on strike on 8 and 15 december. The purpose is to bring the airport to a standstill on these two days.
Nevertheless, it is not their purpose to affect travellers

http://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20141121_01388175

[Passenger]

Antwerp Airport: no news so far. The regional unions have made Antwerp harbour their number one target.

It's quite easy for the unions to shut down an airport: they only have to focus on one of the "public services": border control (police), customs, fire brigade or ATC.

But then, like they say in the article in De Standaard (see link MD-11forever): they harass us "for our own benefit".

[RoMax]

:eh: Yes, announcing the strike is more than enough to not affect passengers... Are they that stupid or do they think that people are so stupid to believe their sh*t?!

I really hope there are enough smart people working at BRU's crucial departments (and same for CRL btw). Strikes like this hit private companies which have nothing to do with this and thousands of innocent travellers, just to give the government a signal...grr, that's why I hate the way unions work...

[airazurxtror]

http://www.lesoir.be/713566/article/act ... 5-decembre

La FGTB appelle vendredi à un débrayage massif lors des mouvements de grève les 8 et 15 décembre prochains au sein de Brussels Airport.
« Aux conditions de travail souvent difficiles des travailleurs à l’aéroport vient s’ajouter une avalanche d’économies et de mesures, qui ne seront supportées que par ces mêmes travailleurs », souligne le syndicat socialiste dans un communiqué.
(...)
Le syndicat annonce dès lors qu’il enverra un « signal fort » les 8 et 15 décembre à l’aéroport de Zaventem et appellera à un débrayage massif.

FGTB friday called for a massive walkout during the strikes of 8 and 15 December in Brussels Airport.
"For to the often difficult working conditions of workers at the airport is added an avalanche of economic measures, which will be supported by these same workers ," said the socialist union in a statement.
(...)
The union announced that it will thus send a "strong signal " on 8 and 15 December in Brussels Airport and will call for a mass action of striking.

[airazurxtror]

Another one :
Le front commun syndical (CGSP - CSC - SNPS - SLFP) police a décidé d'effectuer "une action forte au niveau national le 12 décembre 2014 de 7h à 8h30 où l'ensemble du pays sera paralysé par les forces de l'ordre", annonce un communiqué commun.
Les axes de communication seront plus particulièrement ciblés, comme les "aéroports, chemins de fer, ports. Il reste un point d'interrogation sur les autoroutes." Les policiers envisagent de mener des "contrôles d'alcoolémie, de la prévention ceinture, des contrôles de documents à l'aéroport".

http://www.lalibre.be/actu/belgique/les ... 4ee30758f0

The joint trade union front ( CSPF - CSC - SNPS - SLFP ) police has decided to make a "strong national action December 12, 2014 from 7am to 8:30 where the whole country will be paralyzed by the forces of order" announces a joint statement.
The lines of communication will be particularly targeted as " airports, railways, ports. There is still a question mark on the highways. " The police plan to conduct " alcohol testing , belt prevention, document checks at the airport ."

Probably no or few trains to/from the airport on 11 december : national stike at the SNCB/NMBS.

[quixoticguide]

I arrive monday in CRL from SAW.

[sn26567]

I arrive Monday in CRL from SAW.

For as far as I understand, the airport should not be closed, but access to the airport will be blocked by the unions. Good luck!

[jan_olieslagers]

No NOTAM as yet, so indeed theoretically the aerodrome might be operational.

[airazurxtror]

http://www.charleroi-airport.com/en/pas ... index.html

To our passengers, We would like to inform you that blockading actions and rotational strikes may paralyze airport activities as well as the nearby road system on Monday 24 November 2014. We advise you to take all necessary steps in order to be at the airport at least 3 hours prior to your departure. You should also visit airline websites regularly in order to stay informed. We are doing our best to ensure that all flights can operate at Brussels South Charleroi Airport.

[b-west]

I have no problems with people going on a strike, I've gone on strike before myself, but I cannot agree with the free movement of people being blocked.

[sn26567]

Charleroi Airport is open and registers few delays, but access is only possible on foot: the access roads are blocked by the unions!

One advice: travel light !!!

[airazurxtror]

L’aéroport de Charleroi accessible à pied, celui d’Anvers épargné
Le mouvement de grève n’a pas empêché l’activité aérienne à Charleroi mais le piquet de grève contraint les passagers à marcher 2 à 3 kilomètres pour rejoindre l’aérogare. Quant à l’aéroport d’Anvers, aucun problème n’y était signalé.

The strike did not prevent air activity in Charleroi but the picket line is forcing passengers to walk 2-3 kilometers to reach the terminal. As for the Antwerp airport, no problems are reported .

[convair]

This is a concrete example of what the unions claim they are not doing: harassing people for their own pleasure. Indeed, the blocking of the road access has no other significant effect as it doesn't prevent the (almost) normal operation of the airport! The unions have been useful in the (long) past; they have become a nuisance in the 21st century.

[sn26567]

General strike in Greece all day Thursday may impact all flights to/from Greek airports.