Christian union ACV is calling on Brussels Airlines cabin crews to take strike action on three days next week. The strike is planned as a protest against work pressure and low wages. The liberal and socialist unions, to which a majority of cabin crew staff are affiliated, are waiting for talks with management next week before joining the strike call. The strike from 28 February to 1 March falls in the middle of the Francophone spring break.

he strike threatens to derail Brussels Airlines’ flight schedule on three days next week, during the school holidays in the French-speaking education sector. Christian trade unions ACV Puls and CNE have called on cabin crews to strike on 28 and 29 February and 1 March.

Dissatisfaction among cabin crews – the stewards and stewardesses – mainly centres on pay and work pressure. In December, a strike was narrowly avoided, but since then “few concrete solutions have emerged”, says Jolinde Defieuw of ACV Puls. An ultimatum from the Christian union received no response, she says.

Other unions wait for talks

Further consultations are planned with management early next week. Brussels Airlines spokesman Nico Cardone says the airline’s management will do everything possible to avoid a strike.

The other unions are not joining the strike call, says Olivier Van Camp of the socialist union BBTK. They want to give the talks every chance first. The majority of cabin crew staff are affiliated with the BBTK or the liberal union ACLVB. As a result, it is at present difficult to estimate the extent of any disruption next week.

Longstanding social conflict at Brussels Airlines

Social strife has been underway at the Belgian flag carrier for some time. According to the unions, the company does not respect the various collective labour agreements. Cabin crews mainly complain about excessive work pressure and wages that are too low.

In December, negotiations with management led to an agreement not to strike. At the time, the management presented a “serious and weighty proposal”, Olivier Van Camp says.

The proposal included financial guarantees and agreements on working conditions as well as agreements on rest times and guaranteed income in case of illness. However, cabin crews are still unhappy with what they say is an excessive workload and low wages, the Christian union explains.