Brussels unions announce strike notice over austerity measures

Labor unions ACV, ABVV, and ACOD have filed a strike notice for Brussels government employees, effective October 1. The unions have characterized the initial action as a “warning action” rather than a full general strike, intended to demonstrate their readiness to protest.

The industrial action is a response to austerity measures implemented by the Brussels government. Key grievances include a hiring freeze that has already resulted in a reduction of over 500 full-time equivalents since the start of 2026, which unions claim increases workload and pressure on remaining staff.

Additionally, unions are protesting proposals by Minister of Public Service Dirk De Smedt to abolish two vacation days in November and to move from biennial to annual performance evaluations. Union representatives have expressed frustration over a lack of transparency, stating that the government has failed to provide concrete figures to justify these changes and has shown little willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue.