Belgium
Belgian general strike diary, 1960 - Maurice Brinton
Maurice Brinton's vivid and captivating first hand account of the massive general strike in Belgium in 1960-61 against a new law "loi unique" to reduce workers' purchasing power.
THE BELGIAN GENERAL STRIKE: DIARY DECEMBER 28-31, 1960
THE BACKGROUND
General strike over prices brings Belgium to a halt
A nationwide strike against rising prices disrupted transport, retailing and manufacturing across Belgium on Monday.
High-speed international rail services in and out of the country to France, the UK, Germany and the Netherlands were cancelled and picketing disrupted the port of Antwerp.
Workers were protesting in advance of the government's 2009 budget to demand action on inflation and the rising cost of living.
Stella Artois wildcat ends
A wildcat strike by Stella Artois workers in Leuven, Belgium has been ended after the company came to an agreement with its workers.
InBev, the world's second-largest beer producer by volume, said on Monday that it had struck a deal with its Belgian workers to end a round of industrial action that had hampered its operations. The company has said in a statement that the agreement was positive for both itself and its workers.
Strike brings Brussels public transport to a halt
Public transport in Brussels was almost entirely halted on Wednesday, as bus and tram drivers went on strike for improved safety, after a bus was attacked with a molotov cocktail.
Starting at 6.30, citywide buses and trams were completely shut down. Metro services were reported to be overcrowded beyond capacity.
Belgium: Duracell workers win strike
Workers at the factory in Aarschot had originally walked out on Thursday during negotiations.
The latest offer was approved by 69,6% of workers at a General Assembly on Tuesday. Workers had refused a management offer of 500 euros in bonuses, a 100 euro christmas bonus and a staff shop selling products from the parent company Procter & Gamble. They eventually settled for a 750 euro bonus paid in three installments with the other benefits included.
Belgium: bus drivers strike over safety
Bus drivers from the La Louvière depot walked out on Tuesday after a colleague was robbed at gunpoint.
The strikes come a week after rail workers launched wildcat action after two colleagues were assaulted. Workers voted 29 to 24 in favour of strike action, agreeing that there would be no blockades or impediments to non-strikers.
Belgium: train conductors wildcat over violence
[1].jpg "2003 rail picket in Liège")
A wildcat strike by conductors over violence has rapidly spread across Belgian railways.
The strike began late Monday night at the Mons et La Louvière depot after two conductors were attacked on a train and their colleagues walked out in support. As new shifts arrived from 4:30am more workers joined the action. In all only two conductors crossed pickets and at least 30 trains had been cancelled by 6:30am.
Belgium: striking workers at sub-contractor close Ford plant
Workers at Syncreon, formerly TDS Automotive, went on strike on Monday.
The strike began on Monday after 81% of Syncreon's 250 workers voted in an assembly to reject a new salary structure as it did not includes figures for a salary increase. Workers had been demanding an increase of one euro per hour.
Belgium: Supermarket workers launch wildcats
Workers at three sites have launched wildcat solidarity actions over the last few days.
The strike began at the Cointe branch of GB (owned by the Carrefour chain) after a union representative was sacked after an accusation that he had altered his timecard. The strike spread to the Flémalle branch the following day and workers walked out at Ans on Saturday. Workers are also currently demanding that the company respect agreed practises over working hours.
Belgian Opel workers wildcat strike
A wildcat strike broke out amongst workers at the Opel car plant in Antwerp January 8 in a row over pay.
According to flandersnews.be, workers on the morning shift refused to go back to work after their mid-morning break, complaining that their wages had not been paid out correctly.
