By Martin Banks - 18th October 2010
The sooner our governments reach an agreement that gives the parliament one seat, the better
Tim Kirkhope
A national rail strike in Belgium caused traffic chaos on the country's roads and for MEPs and staff heading to Strasbourg for this month's plenary.
The 24-hour rail strike meant there were almost no trains running with both domestic and international traffic heavily disrupted.
The strike started around 10pm on Sunday and caused endless traffic jams on the roads on Monday morning.
The first traffic jams developed around 6am, 20 minutes earlier than usual. Eurostar trains from London to Brussels were also badly disrupted.
It also caused problems for deputies, staff and other people heading to Strasbourg from Belgium for the plenary.
UK Tory MEP Tim Kirkhope said, "Strasbourg is a beautiful city but it is difficult enough to get to at the best of times. Of course it is not for me to criticise Belgians or Frenchmen for going on strike- that is their choice.
"However, it should also be our choice as MEPs not to make the profligate and unnecessary monthly journey from Brussels to Strasbourg. The sooner our governments reach an agreement that gives the parliament one seat, the better."
Later this week, MEPs will be asked to vote on a resolution tabled by UK Tory MEP Ashley Fox calling for the monthly commute to Strasbourg to be curtailed.
The rail strike was an initiative of the socialist trades union ACOD. The union received the support of the independent trades union OVS, but did not enjoy the support of the Christian and the liberal trades unions.
They said it was too early to start a strike, considering the progress that is being made in the ongoing negotiations to form a government in Belgium.
Staff at the Belgian rail company NMBS are unhappy with the new contracts offered to people working for the freight transport section NMBS Logistics (the former B-Cargo).
The restructuring operation for 2014 is said to severely harm workers' interests, with poorer working conditions.
The rail strike cost the Belgian economy an estimated €100m to €150m.
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