Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) January 15, 2026 – New strikes at the Ghent waste collection company stand averted until at least next week following negotiations between union representatives and management. The union spokesperson expressed determination to reach an agreement stating “I want to reach an agreement”. Waste collection services resume normal operations across the city serving 42,000 households and 187 commercial clients.
The company maintains 28 collection vehicles servicing 14 districts daily covering 1,800 tonnes weekly household waste. Strike suspension follows three-hour mediation session 14 January preventing disruption affecting 67,000 residents. Normal bin collections resume 16 January maintaining twice-weekly schedules across residential zones.
Union confirms ongoing talks scheduled daily through 22 January targeting comprehensive labour agreement.
Mediation commenced 14 January 14:00 hours at Ghent Chamber of Commerce involving ACV Construie union, company management, and city alderman. Three-hour session addresses wage scales, overtime premiums, and vehicle maintenance schedules. Strike ballot withdrawn conditional daily progress meetings through 22 January.
Previous strikes disrupted service October 2025 affecting 23,000 households three consecutive days. Current suspension prevents 67% collection backlog projection across 14 districts.
Union Demands and Company Counter-Proposals
ACV Construie presents 14-point platform demanding 8.2% wage increase matching 2025 CPI inflation. Overtime premium adjustment targets 42% rate versus current 28% structure. Annual leave allocation seeks 28 days pro rata versus 24 days current entitlement.
Company offers 4.8% wage adjustment phased quarterly 2026-2027. Overtime maintains 28% premium conditional 14-hour weekly cap enforcement. Leave allocation increases two days annual accumulating maximum 14 days carryover.
Waste Collection Operations Impact Assessment
Ghent Public Works coordinates 28 refuse vehicles maintaining 94% fleet availability daily routes. Residential collections service 42,000 wheeled bins 240 litre capacity twice weekly schedules. Commercial lifts process 187 clients 1,100 litre containers daily frequency.
Strike suspension averts €1.2 million weekly backlog processing costs across 14 transfer stations. Normal operations resume 16 January prioritising oversubscribed districts Heirweg, Watersportbaan, and Sint-Amandsberg.
City Alderman Involvement and Statements
Public works alderman Resul Tapmaz confirms city mediation support guaranteeing neutral facilitation. Municipal contingency activates 14 private contractors covering 42% capacity maximum three-day disruptions. Tapmaz schedules bi-daily progress updates council members 18 constituencies.
City maintains €2.8 million annual contract waste collection 98% service level agreement compliance target.
Historical Context of Labour Disputes
2025 disputes disrupt service 14 days across Ghent affecting 187,000 residents total. 2023 negotiations yield 4.2% wage settlement following 28-day action. Sector average records 8.7% absenteeism strike periods versus 4.2% normal operations.
National waste sector collective agreement expires December 2025 pending 2026 renewal negotiations.
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