No train will go from Paris to Amsterdam on November, Thalys already announced. Belgian railroaders are opposed to the restructuring at B-Cargo, the cargo unit of the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB), a public firm. Railway cargo, liberalized in 2005, is penalized by the crisis. B-Cargo, expecting a €188 million deficit in 2009, lost major contracts this year. This unit is planning a social plan affecting 900 jobs out of a total of 5,300 people. Half the employees concerned should find another job within the SNCB. Since September, there have been talks about stopping B-Cargo’s activities or selling to the highest bidder. However, Marc Descheemaecker, managing director at the SNCB, thinks that the unit could be profitable again in 2012, if the economy recovers in 2010 and if the European Commission endorses a recapitalization. Belgian railroaders’ last strike was on October 5.
e again in 2012, if the economy recovers in 2010 and if the European Commission endorses a recapitalization. Belgian railroaders’ last strike was on October 5.
Planet Labor, November 4, 2009, No. 091006 – www.planetlabor.com
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