Liège – Eurotoday – A wave of spontaneous strikes disrupted public transportation across the province of Liège on Saturday morning, following a violent assault on a bus driver and two TEC inspectors. The walkouts occurred at several depots, including Robermont, Jemeppe, Rocourt, Eupen, and Stembert.
The unannounced work stoppage affected 89 of TEC’s 204 scheduled regional bus lines, significantly disrupting service across the area.
The incident that sparked the strike took place on Friday evening. According to TEC, the situation escalated after a driver activated the emergency brake, prompting involvement from nearby inspectors. A group of individuals then attacked the driver, injuring him and one of the inspectors, while another inspector was left in severe shock. Emergency services transported all three victims to hospital for treatment. The presumed leader of the attack was apprehended by local police.
“At around 17:20 yesterday, a driver had to apply an emergency brake. Two inspectors were present to help coordinate the situation. Suddenly, several individuals attacked the driver, hitting him. The inspectors managed to secure the driver, but one of them was also hit and the other is deeply shocked,” said Isabelle Tasset, spokesperson for TEC Liège-Verviers.
“The police intervened and arrested the leader of the assault,” she added.
TEC expressed understanding over the emotional response from staff, stating that violence against personnel is unacceptable. However, the company also voiced concern over the lack of warning regarding the strike and its impact on users. “A meeting is ongoing between management and trade unions,” said Tasset.
Rising Violence Against TEC Personnel
The violent episode is part of a troubling trend. TEC Liège reported 47 physical assaults on its drivers and inspectors so far in 2024, reflecting a 22% increase over last year’s total. The rise in aggression has raised alarms for both workers and passengers. In response, the Walloon government adopted a double penalty policy earlier this year under its revised Penal Code.
Running 204 routes and serving approximately 200,000 passengers daily, TEC Liège plays a vital role in regional transportation. However, the sector has long faced safety concerns, and recent tensions have been compounded by staffing shortages and growing occupational stress.
Public transport unions warn that workers are reaching a breaking point, pointing to previous labor actions, such as the 2010 strike over budget cuts, as evidence of ongoing friction between employees and management.
In the wake of the latest incident, concerns over safety have intensified. Minister François Desquesnes announced plans for new security measures, including enhanced police presence and protective infrastructure for drivers. Still, unions are demanding faster action to prevent future attacks.
Eurotoday is a daily online news platform based in Belgium, offering independent coverage of European and international affairs. With a focus on EU policy and member state developments, Eurotoday provides in-depth analysis from a pan-European perspective.
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