Wallonia’s TEC Network Disrupted by Union Strike Action
Wallonia’s LeTec (TEC) public transport network was severely disrupted across all five Walloon provinces on Tuesday as unions staged a coordinated day of strike action, leaving commuters facing widespread delays and cancellations. The strike, organized by the joint union front of the socialist FGTB and Christian CSC federations, coincided with the International Day of Public Services and formed part of a broader Europe-wide mobilization under the “#PublicServicesEmergency” campaign, as reported by RTBF.
Extent of the Disruptions
The impact was felt across all regions of Wallonia, with varying degrees of severity. In the Liège-Verviers zone, 12 of 205 bus lines were completely suspended, while 106 lines operated at reduced frequency due to cancelled trips. The remaining 87 lines ran normally, according to the TEC communications team. The region’s tram and BUSWAY 2 network continued to operate but with less frequent service than usual.
In Hainaut, approximately 100 lines were disrupted. In Charleroi, only 12 lines operated normally while around 30 were at a complete standstill. Walloon Brabant saw roughly 50 lines affected by the strike, while in the provinces of Namur and Luxembourg, more than 200 lines were impacted, according to L’Avenir.
TEC advised passengers to consult the letec.be website or mobile application before traveling, as cancelled trips were visible in the timetable search function.
Broader Labor Context
The strike is the latest in a sustained wave of labor unrest across Wallonia. Tensions have been mounting since December 2024, when the Walloon government implemented a public sector wage freeze affecting 42,000 civil servants. Proposed pension reforms reducing early-retirement benefits for public workers have further inflamed disputes.
In January 2026, the TEC network experienced an open-ended strike lasting at least six days over government cost-cutting measures, with more than two-thirds of services cancelled in key districts by the sixth day. More recently, on 16 June, a major Walloon-wide labor protest in Namur saw coordinated strikes near the Walloon Parliament.
As The Brussels Times reported, the socialist and Christian unions also called for a strike in Brussels on Tuesday, affecting municipalities, public welfare centers (CPAS), public hospitals, and the non-profit sector of the capital.
Europe-Wide Coordination
Tuesday’s action was not limited to Belgium. The strike formed part of a coordinated European day of mobilization organized by the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) under the “#PublicServicesEmergency” campaign. Simultaneous actions took place in France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Czechia, Lithuania, and Albania.
“Workers are being asked to do more with less, while communities face longer waits, reduced access and services struggling to cope,” said Jan Willem Goudriaan, EPSU General Secretary, in a statement reported by The Brussels Times. He urged governments and EU institutions to “stop austerity” and invest in public services, staffing, and wages.
What’s Next
TEC has confirmed that normal service is expected to resume on Wednesday, 24 June. However, the broader labor disputes show no signs of resolution. Unions have indicated potential for further sector-specific strikes targeting healthcare and education in July, while the Walloon Parliament’s debate on pension reforms remains a key flashpoint.
The disruption also coincided with a heatwave across Belgium, with yellow heat alerts in effect and temperatures expected to approach 40°C later in the week, compounding difficulties for travelers already affected by the strike.
Outlook
Tuesday’s strike highlights the deepening labor tensions in Belgium’s public transport and public service sectors. With unions coordinating across Europe and the Walloon government facing sustained pressure over austerity measures, the coming weeks may bring further disruptions as both sides dig in over wages, working conditions, and the future of public services in the region.