The Right to Strike vs Minimal Service

Since 1921, strikes have been allowed in Belgium under severe conditions. Three types of strikes can be distinguished: the regular strike, the spontaneous strike and the wildcat strike. Wildcat strikes are not recognized by trade unions and are therefore illegal. Apart from these types there are also different techniques to start a strike, varying from walkouts to go-slow strikes or slow-down actions. Strikes are accompanied by much discomfort for employers and for citizens or customers. These inconveniences could be reduced by a minimal service which would provide in the essential needs. Several communities call for a dialogue to come to an agreement on this minimal service. Employers¿ organizations would be very happy to see that companies cannot be paralyzed anymore by collective actions. Trade unions on the other hand are absolutely against the idea as it restricts a right that is among their most important achievements and that took them years of fighting for. Eventually, the political parties will have to negotiate on this issue and find solutions, but their opinions differ enormously. As for the general public, opinions differ for every person.