"Expect disruption to incoming flights"
Belgian air traffic controllers at the Belgian air traffic control agency Skeyes are once again protesting against work pressure. The protest started at 7AM and is expected to cause delays at Belgian airports.
Incoming flights will be hit between 8AM and 4PM. The disruption should be limited to delays. Nathalie Pierard of Brussels Airport says departing traffic shouldn't be affected, but there won’t be sufficient capacity for flights arriving at Brussels Airport.
Air traffic controllers have been complaining about poor planning, a shortage of staff and work pressure for some time. They are upset parental leave is not being approved and staff cannot get compensation in lieu for overtime. Last Friday Skeyes reached an agreement with the socialist union, but all other unions have rejected it. "It doesn't meet the grievances of staff. It solves several management problems, but it confirms the current way of working. We believe it endangers the security of air traffic” says liberal trade unionist Lennert Mervilde. He also denies the management made promises to address work pressure.
Earlier Skeyes CEO Johan Decuyper threatened disciplinary action against air traffic controllers staying off work without a proper reason. The liberal trades unionist says: "That's exactly what he should do."