Brussels Airport faces flight cancellations due to strike: Media sources report on November 19 that Brussels Airport (IATA: BRU) in Belgium has announced the cancellation of all departing flights on November 26. Cancellations are also possible on some arriving flights due to the participation of security and handling personnel in the national strike. Lingering disruptions to air traffic are likely.
Incident: Industrial action
Belgium wishes to inform that industrial action will take place across Belgium, organized by the national trade unions in protest against various measures taken by the federal government. The main actions planned consist of the following, with some directly affecting bpost:
This industrial action is expected to affect various sectors and industries across the country, including letter-post and parcel-post deliveries, as well as domestic and international logistics network. A large part of the workforce will be unable to reach work owing to a lack of public transport and certain delays in the handling and transport of international and domestic mail and parcels will be inevitable.
The designated operator of Belgium, bpost, wishes to inform Union member countries and their designated operators that industrial action will take place across Belgium, organized by the national trade unions in protest against various measures taken by the federal government. The main actions planned consist of the following, with some directly affecting bpost: • National railway network will not operate for 72 hours, starting from Sunday, 23 November at 22.00 local time; • All other public transportation services will not run from Monday, 24 November to Wednesday, 26 November inclusive; • International airports will not operate normally from Monday, 24 November to Wednesday, 26 November inclusive; • Public services (including all schools and hospitals) will strike on Tuesday, 25 November and Wednesday, 26 November; • National demonstrations will be held on Wednesday, 26 November. This industrial action is expected to affect various sectors and industries across the country, including letter-post and parcel-post deliveries, as well as bpost’s domestic and international logistics network. A large part of bpost’s workforce will be unable to reach work owing to a lack of public transport. bpost has already asked staff with motor vehicles who usually work in office functions to come and help provide at least a minimum level of service at the different sorting centres. Nevertheless, certain delays in the handling and transport of international and domestic mail and parcels will be inevitable.
Customs workers strike at Liège Airport: Media sources reported on November 14 that customs workers plan a work-to-rule action at Liège Airport (IATA: LGG) in Liege, Belgium, on November 17. The action was called to protest against the planned changes to the customs workers’ schedules and is part of the work-to-rule actions carried out by customs officers in Antwerp. Disruptions to airport operations are likely.
On November 25th and 26th, Belgium’s national trade unions have announced a nationwide strike in the public sector in response to recent federal government measures. This action may have a direct impact on our operations.
Nationwide strike impacts postal services: Intelligence received by Everstream Analytics indicated that local trade unions have called a 24-hour nationwide strike from 00:01 local time on October 14 across Belgium. As a result, disruptions to bpost’s domestic as well as international logistics network, the letter and parcel-post deliveries are to be expected. In addition, all inbound and outbound flights at Brussels Airport (IATA: BRU) have been cancelled.