Strike causes travel disruption

2008-10-06 11:54

Brussels - Belgian commuters struggled to get to work on Monday as a one-day nationwide strike disrupted public transport and international rail links.

The country's three main unions called the strike to demand higher pay amid high inflation and increased living costs.

"We had to send a warning to the government and employers," said Rudy de Leeuw, head of the ABVV union. "They have to explain to us how it was able to get so bad. What we need is purchasing power, work and good services."

Commuter rail, tram and bus services were not operating on Monday and police reported backed up traffic on roads in many parts of the country. Union officials said the strike was also likely to affect postal services.

High-speed train services run by Eurostar and Thalys from Brussels to London, Amsterdam, Cologne and Paris were also affected.

"Not a single Thalys train will be operational due to the strike in Belgium," said Violaine Tennstedt, a Thalys spokesperson.

Car plant and dock workers in the port city of Antwerp also joined picket lines. Business groups said they would take unions to court if they tried to block people or deliveries at companies on Monday.

- AP