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The staff at Charleroi airport will stop work for 24 hours on Thursday. This is confirmed by CNE trade union representative Yves Lambot. The strike threatens to impact more than 94 flights and 17,500 departing passengers.
There have been rumblings at Charleroi airport for some time now. The staff complains about bullying by managers. The unions recently submitted a strike notice. Last week, the management tried to defuse the file by announcing that it will give two targeted managers other tasks.
But there remains criticism among the unions, because the measure is preventive for the time being and the investigation would take months. In addition, high workload and poor social dialogue at the airport are also reported. “The management does not understand that the staff is impatient. They want concrete solutions to the problems that arise quickly,” says Lambot.
Walloon Airports Minister Adrien Dolimont (MR) announced on Tuesday evening that the strike threatens to impact more than 94 flights and 17,500 departing passengers. It is currently spring holidays in French-speaking education and therefore very busy for the tourism sector. In Flanders, many employees can bridge the gap with May 1.
Minister Dolimont emphasizes that he has every confidence in the airport’s management and that management and unions will sit around the table again on Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. “The improvement in productivity and flexibility that management wants does not seem disproportionate compared to the evolution of the sector,” said Dolimont, calling for reasonableness so that “the negotiations can yield results.” He points out the importance for the image of the airport and its employees, for its reputation and for employment. “This pressure during the school holidays does not show respect for our fellow citizens,” he added.