For Flemish minister Lydia Peeters, continuity of service is important for travelers.
On 26 May 2021, at the initiative of Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters, the Flemish Parliament approved the continuity of services at De Lijn. The decree provides, among other things, that a strike notice must be reported at least 8 days in advance and that employees have up to 72 hours before the strike to let them know whether they will continue to strike or not.
Based on this information, the transport company then draws up a transport offer, which is announced to travelers at least 24 hours in advance. The three unions at De Lijn went to the Constitutional Court to challenge the continuity of services in the event of a strike. The Constitutional Court judges now in a judgment that the decree does not affect the right to strike.
The continuity of services during strikes at De Lijn is not in conflict with the right to strike.
“The traveler, who already has a smaller supply of buses and trams on strike days, did not know before the decree whether his bus or tram would even run. Time and time again, travelers suffered strikes and did not know whether they would get to work or school. With the continuity of services, we changed that, without touching the right to strike."
According to Peeters, those who want to strike should be able to do so, but those who want to work should also be able to do so. “I am therefore satisfied with the judgment of the Constitutional Court,” said Lydia Peeters (open vld).