MR federal MP Gilles Foret tables a bill to strengthen the effectiveness of guaranteed service at the SNCB.
In recent years, rail strikes have multiplied. Since 2018, there have been a total of 16 rail strikes, in addition to six days of “national strike”. These actions have caused significant difficulties for users while paralysing certain regions of the country, particularly the provinces of Namur and Luxembourg, where no trains ran during the 2023-2024 strikes. Yet the 2017 law had laid important foundations, notably by introducing a mandatory notice period and allowing for a reduced transport offer to be organised.
“The application of guaranteed service remains uneven across the country, creating unacceptable disparities for commuters wishing to get to work or travel around the country,” notes federal MP Gilles Foret.
The federal MP therefore places his bill in continuity with the efforts made by Minister François Bellot regarding the guaranteed service law adopted in 2017.
The new bill aims to guarantee a minimum service in all active stations, in order to strengthen equal treatment for all users. In practice, this measure would give every citizen access to rail services, even during strikes, in line with available staffing resources.
“We want to correct the inequalities that persist and offer a concrete response to citizens who are not responsible for repeated strikes but suffer their consequences. It is about respecting the right to strike while protecting commuters' right to travel,” Gilles Foret continues
The MR wishes to reaffirm that it is possible to reconcile the right to strike with continuity of public service. The new bill provides neither for the requisitioning of staff nor for any infringement of the right to strike. It favours voluntary and responsible mobilisation of non-striking workers. Furthermore, this project takes into account the requirements set by the Constitutional Court and European institutions regarding fundamental rights.
The bill will soon be discussed in the Chamber's mobility committee.