Belgian public services strike over cuts
The action day mainly affects trains, buses and trams, as public-sector union ACOD protests against the government’s budget plans.
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Part of Belgium’s public services will be halted on Monday by a strike organised by the socialist public-sector union ACOD. Travellers are particularly affected: NMBS is running a reduced timetable, while De Lijn is also warning of widespread cancellations.
The strike began at 10.00 pm on Sunday and, according to NMBS, will continue until the end of service on Monday. Based on the staff available, the railway operator has drawn up an alternative timetable. Seven in ten intercity trains will run, as will half of local and suburban trains and just one in five additional peak-time trains.
Services are also severely restricted at De Lijn. The Flemish transport operator expects around four in ten buses and trams not to run. Travellers are advised to check the route planner or app shortly before departure, as the final staffing levels may still change.
The action is directed against the government’s budget proposals. ACOD says public services are structurally underfunded and that workers bear the consequences of cuts and reforms. The union says the strike is necessary to put pressure on government policy and negotiations over the public finances.
For the government and transport operators, the emphasis is on continuity. NMBS regrets the impact on travellers, but is trying to organise a minimum service with the workers available. That does not mean all connections will run: peak-time services and local routes in particular are badly affected.
The strike follows a broader week of protests in Belgium. At a demonstration in Brussels on Friday, around 30,000 people gathered according to police; organisers put the number of participants at 50,000. The demonstration targeted the rising cost of living and budget measures. Police also reported separate disturbances which, they said, were unrelated to the trade union demonstration.
For Dutch travellers, the action day is particularly relevant to cross-border train journeys and travel within Belgium. The precise effects vary by route and time. At the same time, the action highlights how closely Belgium’s budget dispute is linked to the quality of public services: lower spending may ease pressure on the public finances, but trade unions say it could also put services and employment conditions under strain.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- ACOD organised a strike in Belgium’s public services on 12 October 2026.
- NMBS and De Lijn are operating reduced or alternative timetables.
- ACOD links the action to budget proposals and concerns about public services.
- The strike is causing disruption for travellers and other users.
Left
Arguments Cuts to public services ultimately affect most those who depend on affordable public transport, healthcare and public facilities. From this perspective, the strike is a means of preventing staff numbers and quality from being eroded further.
Values Equal access, collective provision, purchasing power and protection for workers.
Consequences Greater public investment could improve services and employment conditions, but would require additional revenue or lower spending elsewhere in the budget.
Centre
Arguments Belgium must make its budget manageable while keeping essential services reliable. That requires consultation, targeted cuts and a minimum service during industrial action, without ignoring workers’ underlying concerns.
Values Financial sustainability, continuity, consultation and practicality.
Consequences A compromise could limit disruption while enabling reforms. Delay without clear choices could prolong the conflict and uncertainty.
Right
Arguments The government must control costs and implement reforms before deficits rise further. From this perspective, prolonged or widespread strikes leave the bill with travellers, businesses and citizens who have no influence over the negotiations.
Values Budgetary discipline, responsibility and continuity of essential services.
Consequences Tighter minimum-service rules and clearer reforms could protect the economy, but might also reduce workers’ bargaining power.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The timetable and the reason for the action have been confirmed by NMBS, De Lijn and VRT. The text clearly distinguishes between announced disruption and the still-changing actual impact.
- confirmed The strike runs from 10.00 pm on Sunday until the end of service on Monday. — NMBS gives this period on its information page. source
- confirmed Seven in ten intercity trains will run. — NMBS cites this as part of the alternative timetable. source
- confirmed Half of S- and L-trains and one in five P-trains will run. — These percentages appear in the official NMBS information. source
- confirmed Around four in ten of De Lijn’s buses and trams will not run. — VRT nws.nws.nws describes the announced service levels. source
- confirmed The action was organised by ACOD against budget proposals. — NMBS and VRT name ACOD and the budget proposals as the reason for the action. source
- confirmed According to police, around 30,000 people attended Friday’s demonstration, while organisers put the figure at 50,000. — AP reports both figures and makes clear that they are different counts. source
Editor's note
The strike on 12 October, the alternative NMBS timetable and the expected cancellations at De Lijn are certain. The precise impact on individual services and other public services may change during the day.Sources
- Dit kan je vandaag merken van de stakingsdag in de openbare diensten — VRT NWS
- Staking: alle info bij zware hinder — NMBS
- Op 9 en 12 oktober minder bussen en trams door staking bij De Lijn — VRT nws.nws.nws
- Police and masked protesters clash in Brussels as anti-austerity rally disrupts city — Associated Press
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „belgië staking”
- de Volkskrant — „belgië staking”
- RTL Nieuws — „belgië staking”