EPSU Executive Committee meets online amid landmark Belgian strike action

This month in labour history

11-12-1875 The mounted gendarmerie invades the central region, 7,000 miners and their families are on strike following the announcement of a 20% wage cut. [more]

12-12-1960 The CGSP calls for an indefinite strike from December 20, the date of the opening in the Chamber for debate on the law which aims to increase the tax burden on individuals and reduce social security guarantees. [more]

13-12-1889 Law prohibiting night work for children under 16 and women under 21. [more]

20-12-1960 In Antwerp, the lock keepers paralyzed the port, the dockers were on strike, in Charleroi 10,000 ACEC workers left the workshops to go to disengage the other factories, in Liège, the strike began in the steelworks. [more]

21-12-1960 After the call on the 20th, starting today all large employers are hit by the general strike by Flemish workers, including the decisive sectors of Antwerp and Ghent. [more]

24-12-1903 Law granting compensation for industrial accidents comes into effect. [more]

24-12-1960 In Wallonia, the strike is total, 45,000 demonstrators marched in Charleroi and strike continues to spread in Flanders, in particular in Aalst, Bruges and Ronse. [more]

27-12-1960 The general strike reaches its peak, the government is powerless, paralyzed. The leadership of the FGTB refused to launch the general strike order, only the Walloon regional offices and that of Antwerp gave the strike order. [more]

28-12-1960 Spontaneously, workers in union meetings and street demonstrations themselves set the next goal of the general strike: a march on Brussels and a direct confrontation with the state. [more]