A united union front, including CSC and FGTB and possibly Synova, plans a national demonstration on October 9 in Brussels as part of a broader autumn anti-austerity mobilization.

In addition to the October 9 protest, unions will join a European-wide rally on September 24 and a climate march on October 11, signaling a multi-front effort on social and economic issues.

Unions demand no further erosion of the wage and benefit indexation, oppose any VAT increase, and reject the annualization of working hours, arguing current measures worsen hardship without fixing the budget.

CSC’s Marie-Hélène Ska says she is watching budget talks and will not pre-commit to a similar strike threat at this time.

ABVV warns of a national strike in the week of November 23 if the government does not change course, while ACV remains less explicit about striking.

The action precedes the prime minister’s general policy speech and budget discussions, with unions aiming to push for alternative measures and to press the government to engage with their proposals.

FGTB sets three red lines for the budget process—unilateral indexation disruption, a VAT increase, and annualization of working time—and says crossing any red line could trigger a general strike in late November.

CFGTB and CSC criticize government policies as ineffective; CSC cites Arizona measures as worsening hardship and not reducing the deficit, while FGTB demands fair burden-sharing and warns of social resistance if costs fall on the same groups.

ABVV accuses the De Wever government of weakening pensions, wages, working conditions, hours, sickness and unemployment protections, social security, and public services over 19 months, calling for political courage and policy change.

FGTB leadership emphasizes genuine social dialogue for a fair transition, framing the protests as part of a broader push for socially just policies.

Unions warn the government coalition of potential measures that could affect purchasing power, including healthcare savings, prompting a broader budget conclave response.

Unions present 21 billion euros in alternative measures and urge the government to consider these reforms as its own revenue plans have failed.