Dockworkers Observe One-Hour Work Stoppage Monday at Multiple Terminals

Antwerp – Dockworkers at Belgium’s major ports will stage a series of one-hour work stoppages at various terminals on Monday, according to a pamphlet released by the Joint Dockworkers Union Front. The participating unions — ABVV-BTB, ACV-Transcom, and ACLVB — have opted against organizing a full 24-hour strike at this time.

Port workers in Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Ghent will take part in the hour-long pause, which will also include logistics staff and specialized port personnel. The move, first reported by Flows magazine and confirmed by Belga, is intended as a targeted form of protest amidst broader national labor unrest.

While several major unions are backing a nationwide strike, the dockworkers’ unions have chosen a more limited approach. Representatives of these unions plan to use Monday’s pause as a moment to articulate their concerns — particularly their dissatisfaction with the government’s approach to labor negotiations — and to explain why they are not joining the broader strike.

The dockworkers are advocating for three key demands: protection of port-specific unemployment provisions, preservation of current pension structures, and recognition of dock labor periods in pension assessments. The unions argue that a measured, strategic protest is more likely to advance their cause than a hasty full-scale strike, which could weaken their negotiating power.

Union leaders have expressed doubts about the Belgian government’s commitment to effectively implementing labor agreements. Although Monday’s industrial actions are expected to coincide with disruptions caused by a pilots’ strike, river pilots have confirmed they will not participate. In anticipation of potential delays, some ports are adjusting operations and rerouting vessels to nearby countries.

What’s Driving the Belgian Dockworker Dispute?

Belgium’s ports — including the massive Antwerp facility, Zeebrugge, and Ghent — are critical to European trade, handling over 270 million tons of cargo per year. The physical demands and unpredictable scheduling associated with dock labor have long been addressed through tailored unemployment protections and retirement systems.

Recent government proposals to reform early retirement policies and revise how unemployment benefits are calculated have triggered political tensions and anxiety among workers, who fear losing vital protections. The past year has seen a series of strikes across Belgium in response to concerns over pension rights and wage adjustments, leading to major disruptions across supply chains.

Dockworker unions, representing employees exposed to hazardous working conditions and economic instability, argue that stronger safeguards are essential — especially as Belgium’s inflation rate currently sits at 3.18% in 2024.

The shipping industry is already feeling the ripple effects of past labor actions, with delays in deliveries and vessels being rerouted to alternative ports such as Rotterdam and Le Havre. Monday’s one-hour strike serves as a warning — a show of solidarity and resolve — with more intensive actions possible if negotiations stall.

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