Transport · Charleroi and Namur
Skeyes signs two social agreements with unions after September strikes
Skeyes and its social partners concluded two collective agreements on Friday, 6 November, while two unions that did not sign asked staff to avoid spontaneous action.
AI text based on reports by Le Soir, RTBF, 7sur7 and other publishers. Published . How it is made
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In brief
Skeyes and its social partners concluded two collective agreements on Friday, 6 November, and ACOD/CGSP signed both in the joint committee.
The meal voucher value increases from 8 to 10 euros from 1 December, and staff receive sport and culture vouchers of 100 euros each year.
ACV (CSC) and VSOA (SLFP) did not sign and asked staff to avoid spontaneous action, with Lennert Mervilde of VSOA/SLFP speaking to Belga.
- September 2026Night strikes by Charleroi controllers over night-shift bonuses
- 6 NovTwo collective agreements concluded at the joint committee
- 1 DecMeal voucher value rises from 8 to 10 euros
On Friday, 6 November, Skeyes, the company in charge of air traffic control in Belgium, and its social partners concluded two collective agreements during a meeting of the joint committee at the company's headquarters. According to management, the texts contain "important measures in favour of staff". The socialist union ACOD/CGSP signed both agreements in the joint committee, and that signature is enough to validate them.
The digital tower transition
The first agreement covers the move toward a digital control tower, which is meant to replace physical towers over time with a remote management centre. Management listed milestone bonuses tied to key project steps, structural monthly bonuses, improved working conditions, new career prospects and support measures. The tower concerns the Walloon airports, with the centre to be located in Namur. Skeyes said in its statement:
“The agreements concluded offer concrete improvements for staff and define a social framework for the continued modernisation of Belgian air traffic control.”
Pay and working conditions
The second agreement aims to improve purchasing power and working conditions for all Skeyes staff. Meal vouchers rise from 8 to 10 euros from 1 December, and every year staff receive sport and culture vouchers worth 100 euros. Staff from age 58 may work four-fifths of full time with a bonus of 600 euros gross per month. Certain statutory staff from age 55 will receive an end-of-scale bonus. The package also includes end-of-career measures and career options for air traffic controllers.
- Before 1 December 2026
- 8 euro
- From 1 December 2026
- 10 euro
Data from the article text
Strikes and the unions that did not sign
The agreements follow a dispute that began with night strikes in September, when controllers at Charleroi airport pressed for night-shift bonuses matching those paid to colleagues in Liège. After conciliation failed, the union representing Charleroi controllers announced 24 nights of strikes, and mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke proposed an external mediator. A mediated deal with all three unions was later reached on the transition to the digital tower for the Walloon airports, but the base rejected it. Lennert Mervilde of VSOA/SLFP acknowledged the error in the mediated deal.
“We made a miscalculation at that level.”
ACV (CSC) and VSOA (SLFP), which did not sign the agreements on Friday, have asked staff to refrain from spontaneous action. VSOA/SLFP is consulting internally on how to respond.
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Sources and context
- Le SoirSkeyes: unions that did not sign the social agreements call on staff to avoid any actionSkeyes : les syndicats non signataires des accords sociaux appellent le personnel à éviter toute action · original in French
- RTBFAnger of air traffic controllers: Skeyes management and trade union organizations conclude two social agreementsColère des contrôleurs aériens : la direction de Skeyes et les organisations syndicales concluent deux accords sociaux · original in French
- 7sur7End of tensions at Skeyes: two agreements concluded with unionsFin des tensions chez Skeyes: deux accords conclus avec les syndicats · original in French
- vrtnws.beAfter the September strikes: social agreements concluded at air traffic controller SkeyesNa de stakingen van september: sociale akkoorden afgesloten bij luchtverkeersleider Skeyes | VRT NWS Nieuws · original in Dutch
- Jean-Luc Crucke
- Belgian minister of mobility who proposed an external mediator in the dispute
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