Belgian Strike?

[duesselmartin]

Hi all.
I am planning to travel to Germany on Eurostar on the 12th of Jan.
While the German strikes get a lot of mentioning, the Belgians don't.
What is the status of the NMBS labour dispute and how will it affect international trains?
Martin

 

[button_boxer]

Eurostar have cancelled everything on the day of the general strike (15th December) but they haven't said anything about the rest of the dispute.

 

[atillathehunn]

Monday all the Eurostar services are cancelled as it is a general strike.

There will be ongoing strike action for months to come it would seem. Listening to the Belgian radio station from Flanders this morning they seem to imply there will now be strikes without warning ongoing until austerity is reversed.

I have asked elsewhere in this forum about what happens in this case with Eurostar being cancelled from Brussels. In the ticketing section. The consensus seemed to be that they will ask you to rebook your ticket. Completely ridiculous country.

 

[anme]

I have asked elsewhere in this forum about what happens in this case with Eurostar being cancelled from Brussels. In the ticketing section. The consensus seemed to be that they will ask you to rebook your ticket. Completely ridiculous country.

What else do you suggest they do?

 

[atillathehunn]

Arrange for alternative transport to be made available? Or give me at least a majority refund on my ticket? I don't think this is unreasonable. Why should my travel plans suffer because of disgruntled unions?

 

[flash]

Arrange for alternative transport to be made available? Or give me at least a majority refund on my ticket? I don't think this is unreasonable. Why should my travel plans suffer because of disgruntled unions?

Afaik you are given the choice of a refund or rebook for a different date. As to providing alternative transport - 600 odd pax onto rail replacement buses anyone?

 

[atillathehunn]

It's not my problem how much of a hassle this is for them...

 

[RT4038]

Looking at the Eurostar website, they are offering either rebooking or a complete refund. What else can they do?
If you travel to other countries you do have to go along with the local culture. This is a national strike, the likes of which we have not seen in this country since 1926. Sorry about your travel plans, but you just have to grin and bear it.

 

[anme]

It's not my problem how much of a hassle this is for them...

Why is a Belgian strike more Eurostar's problem (as a company operating partly in Belgium) than your problem (as an individual who has chosen to travel to, from or through Belgium)?
They seem to be treating people as well as they reasonably can in the circumstances.

 

[Wolfie]

Afaik you are given the choice of a refund or rebook for a different date. As to providing alternative transport - 600 odd pax onto rail replacement buses anyone?

Particularly since, in a general strike-type situation, the bus/coach drivers are likely to be on strike too.

 

[gordonthemoron]

did any trains run on Monday? belgianrail.be were showing something like 30% services not cancelled although ns.nl were not showing any cross border ones until late evening

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Is there any more news about these strikes, all being well I am supposed to be travelling to / from Germany Via Brussels and Koln in the new few days?

 

[gordonthemoron]

there is nothing on belgianrail.be, I have been keeping an eye out as I'm going to belgium next weekend

 

[atillathehunn]

All strikes cancelled until 13th Jan

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

All strikes cancelled until 13th Jan

Thank you, that is good news.

 

[gordonthemoron]

ta very much

 

[duesselmartin]

is that including the 13th? And if there is a strike on that day, will it include EST and ICE?

 

[atillathehunn]

The press release says 'until at least' the 13th Jan - so I would be hopeful that there will not be a strike until the 14th. So I hope that helps you travelling!

To Dusselmartin: you should be fine unless there is a General Strike at which point the signalmen walk out as well, which affects ICE and EST. The Union most active at the moment is just the drivers union, which won't really affect you (maybe some small delays) and they will also be regional unless a General Strike.

 

[duesselmartin]

Thank you atillathehunn. That sounds reassuring. Merry Christmas to all!

 

[atillathehunn]

I am happy to be able to bring Christmas good news from Belgium!

And yes of course, merry Christmas, prettige kerstdagen, frohe weihnacten, joyeux noel to all on here!