Flights to and from Brussels Zaventem and Charleroi airports will be canceled as workers strike for better wages and working conditions. Thousands of security, cleaning, and hospitality staff are expected to join the protest in Belgium’s capital. The strike is in response to the large deficit of security staff at the airports, which is a safety concern. The demonstration is organized by various European trade unions, with workers demanding improved working conditions and fair wages. The protest will also address issues such as high workloads, poor working conditions, and expensive facilities for staff.
Passengers traveling from Brussels Zaventem and Charleroi airports will face significant disruptions as most departing flights have been canceled due to the strike. The strike is expected to affect around 42,000 passengers, disrupting travel plans for many individuals. The airport management warns passengers to expect cancellations and delays, as the strike is expected to have a significant impact on airport operations. The protest is scheduled to begin at 10 am CET outside the Charleroi airport, with workers from various European countries participating in the demonstration.
The strike is not only a response to the poor working conditions at the airports but also a call for changes to the EU’s public procurement rules. Workers are concerned that the current procurement process promotes harmful working conditions and unfair labor practices across the bloc. European trade union federations UNI Europa and Effat are spearheading the protest, with over 100 experts supporting the strike to “stop the race to the bottom” in terms of labor standards. Workers from countries such as France, Germany, Italy, and Spain will attend the Brussels airport protest to voice their concerns and demand fair labor standards.
The Confederation of Christian Trade Unions, Belgium’s largest trade union, is leading the protest against the high workload and poor working conditions at the airports. Despite repeated signals to the airport operator, workers claim that solutions to these issues are still lacking. The union also highlights grievances such as inappropriate work temperatures, expensive parking, and limited facilities for staff. The protest aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by airport workers and to pressure the airport management to address these issues and improve working conditions for employees.
The strike has garnered support from European trade unions and experts who believe that fair labor standards and collective bargaining should be upheld in outsourced services. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s announcement of a revision to public procurement guidelines in her next mandate has also brought attention to the need for fair labor standards and worker representation in the procurement process. The letter signed by over 100 experts calls for stronger labor standards and collective bargaining to protect essential workers and ensure fair working conditions in outsourced services. Despite the support for the strike and demands for fair labor standards, the European Commission has not publicly commented on the matter.
Overall, the strike at Brussels Zaventem and Charleroi airports is a response to the poor working conditions and low wages experienced by security, cleaning, and hospitality staff. The protest aims to bring attention to these issues and demand changes to the EU’s public procurement rules to ensure fair labor standards are upheld. Workers from various European countries are joining the demonstration to voice their concerns and pressure the airport management to address these issues and improve working conditions for employees. Despite the support from European trade unions and experts, the European Commission has not publicly commented on the matter, leaving the future of fair labor standards in outsourced services uncertain.
