Train traffic across Belgium will face significant disruption on Tuesday, April 8, as the country endures its 20th railway strike of the year. Five major trade unions—ACOD Spoor/CGSP Cheminots, ACV/CSC-Transcom, VSOA-Spoor/SLFP-Cheminots, OVS/SIC, and ASTB/SACT—are jointly spearheading the strike in protest against policies laid out in the Federal Government’s coalition agreement.
Despite recent negotiations on April 2, unions are moving forward with the strike, citing deep dissatisfaction with government measures they claim endanger worker welfare. “The proposed reforms undermine pension rights, erode job security, and create harsher working conditions,” the unions declared in a joint statement.
Severe Impact on Domestic and International Rail Services
Belgium’s national rail operator, SNCB/NMBS, has devised an alternative train schedule based on available staff, accessible through its website and mobile app. However, disruptions will be widespread:
IC Trains: 2 out of 5 will be canceled.
Local and Suburban Trains (L and S): 3 out of 5 will not operate.
Peak-hour P Trains: Only 1 in 5 will run during rush hours.
Adding to the disruption, a broken signal box in Namur will halt all train operations in the Ottignies region from 06:00, affecting connections between Namur, Gembloux, Wavre, Fleurus, and beyond.
International routes are also hit hard:
Eurostar services between Brussels and Paris will be reduced.
ICE trains connecting Brussels and Cologne face cancellations.
EuroCity trains to and from the Netherlands will not run.
Only Brussels–London Eurostar services are expected to remain largely unaffected.
Despite the strike, SNCB/NMBS assures that support for passengers with reduced mobility will continue under the revised schedule.
Mounting Frustration Among Public and Operators
Management teams at HR Rail, Infrabel, and SNCB/NMBS expressed disappointment over the recurring industrial action. “The frequency of these strikes is becoming unbearable—not only for passengers and railway staff but also for the broader economy and social sectors reliant on reliable rail services,” a joint statement noted.
As the government and unions remain at a standstill, Belgium’s railway sector teeters under growing pressure, with both commuters and operators paying the price.