2023-12-22 16:20:53
Liège firefighters went on strike Friday morning in several barracks in the area, the SLFP union said in a press release. Lack of staff, increased workload and dilapidated infrastructure are among the reasons given for this work stoppage.
The movement was followed since only 35 firefighters reported to their post Friday morning, out of a total of 95 agents. The staff denounces a lack of staff. “Several barracks are regularly closed throughout the year due to lack of personnel. In the barracks which remain open, many intervention vehicles cannot be deployed due to lack of personnel“, we can read in a press release addressed to the press.
Firefighters also complain regarding the dilapidation of the Ransonnet barracks, located in the center of Liège. “It is falling into disrepair, with asbestos in 75% of the walls. More and more premises and corridors are condemned because of asbestos. Emergency evacuation corridors are no longer even accessible. Operational agents must continue, during their guard duty, to live 24 hours in deplorable conditions, potentially putting their health at risk.“, deplores the SLFP union.
The management of the barracks is also problematic according to the firemen. “Management is increasingly oppressive to staff. Agents are unfairly removed from their operational functions, by arbitrary decision of certain members of the hierarchical line“, continues the union.
Added to this is an increase in the workload, the workplace accident rate and the absenteeism rate.
Consequences of the movement
Following this movement, several barracks are closed or idling. In Grace-Hollogne, only two agents are present, while in Ans only four agents have taken up their duty. The Grivegnée barracks, Hermalle-sous-Argenteau and Flémalle are closed.
The Liège fire authority had to call for requisitions via the police, to put operational personnel back in the barracks, specifies the SLFP.
By midday Friday, management had still not contacted the unions since the strike. Other actions will be carried out in the coming days.
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