Belgian rail network paralysed by Wildcat strike
A wildcat train strike has paralysed large swathes of the Belgian rail network for the second day in a row, snarling traffic in the capital and raising fears of more union unrest to come.
No trains were running in the southern part of Belgium on Friday and service was limited in the capital Brussels and the northern parts after French-speaking unions from the south walked out in protest at possible changes to schedules that would see them working more hours.
Trade unions have already raised the prospect of an official train strike next Tuesday.
At the same time, a strike of prison personnel, closing in on its first month, is continuing in many detention centres. The government and unions say they are close to finding a compromise.
