2024-11-04 20:25:00
04 November 2024
21:25
Walloon civil servants are preparing for a strike on November 14. Those of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation are considering action on the 22nd. They denounce the end of the status quo.
The standoff begins between the French-speaking civil service and its new governments. A strike notice was placed in the Walloon civil service for the Thursday November 14reveals Le Soir this Monday. This notice covers the service public wallon (SPW), as well as all public administration units (UAP).
“We are asking the civil service for savings. But the status costs less, at least in the SPW.”
The following week, it was the officials of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FWB) who could go on strike. The unions must decide this Friday whether to file a strike notice for the Friday November 22.
Through these actions, the unions intend to increase pressure on the negotiations which will begin at precisely the same time: a sector committee 16relating to the civil service, must take place on the 14th in Namur, while a sector committee 17relating to the French community, is to be held on the 22nd in Brussels.
The end of statuization denounced
And the negotiations promise to be tense, given the roadmaps presented by the new MR-Engaged governments in October. In Wallonia, the executive wants to reduce public spending by 268 million euros for 2025with 53 million savings in the UAP and 11.7 million on the SPW side. For the FWB, 109 million are identified.
The unions are already having trouble swallowing the end of status in the public serviceenacted for January 1, 2025 both in Wallonia and in the FWB. The reform, carried out at full speed by Minister Jacqueline Galant (MR), is all the more poorly received as it is considered counterproductive. “We are asking the public service for savings. But the status costs less, at least in the SPW,” underlines CGSP delegate Stéphane Jaumonet, who points to a desire to politicize the public service. “We want to transform our administrations into armed arms of our policies. And it is wrong to say that a civil servant is indestructible: two negative reviews and he’s out!”
The union delegate also denounces the “abrupt” method by Jacqueline Galant: “The minister lied to us by omission by telling us that as long as the decree had not been passed, the status files were continuing their course. However, we came across green notes in which she gave the “administration prohibits the recruitment of statutory staff.”
Finally, the unions are alarmed by the non-replacement of retired civil servantspointing out “a few years of delay in replacing personnel”.
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**Interview with Stéphane Jaumonet, CGSP Delegate, on Upcoming Strikes in Wallonia**
**Interviewer:** Good evening, Stéphane. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the upcoming strikes by civil servants in Wallonia.
**Stéphane Jaumonet:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important time for public service workers, and I’m glad to share our perspective.
**Interviewer:** Can you explain the reasons behind the strike notice placed for November 14? What are the main grievances of the civil service?
**Stéphane Jaumonet:** Certainly. The primary issue is the recent governmental decision to end the status quo that has long provided stability for civil servants. We are being asked to make savings, which we believe will ultimately harm service quality and efficiency. The status actually costs less in real terms, especially within the Service Public Wallon (SPW).
**Interviewer:** What are the implications of these cuts on the services provided to the public?
**Stéphane Jaumonet:** The proposed cuts of 268 million euros for 2025 will inevitably lead to reduced services, increased workloads for existing staff, and potentially compromised quality. This kind of financial pressure will not only affect our civil servants but also the citizens who rely on these essential services.
**Interviewer:** There’s also mention of a potential strike by officials of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation on November 22. How are the unions coordinating these actions?
**Stéphane Jaumonet:** Yes, that’s correct. We are coordinating closely with various unions to ensure our voices are heard simultaneously. The strikes are strategically timed to coincide with negotiations regarding sector committee discussions on both the 14th and 22nd. Our goal is to amplify the pressure on government negotiators to reconsider these austerity measures.
**Interviewer:** How are the union members feeling about the upcoming strikes? Is there a sense of unity and resolve among them?
**Stéphane Jaumonet:** Absolutely. There’s a strong sense of unity and determination within our ranks. Members understand the stakes involved, and many are prepared to take a stand for their rights and the interests of the public they serve. The solidarity among civil servants has never been stronger.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what message do you hope the strikes will convey to the government and the public?
**Stéphane Jaumonet:** We hope to send a clear message that civil servants are essential to the functioning of our society. We are committed to serving the public, but we need fair support and resources to do our jobs effectively. We urge the government to reconsider its path and engage in meaningful dialogue with us.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Stéphane, for sharing your insights. We’ll be following this situation closely as it unfolds.
**Stéphane Jaumonet:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important issues.
