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"Again, it is at the expense of travelers. We are literally left out in the cold," said Kees Smilde of the TrainTramBus consumer group. The reforms are part of a slate of austerity measures approved by Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo's coalition to get Belgium out of the financial crisis. Unions were especially irked that the government is trying to push through pension reform, sidestepping the traditional worker-employer negotiations that have become a cornerstone of the nation's welfare state system. Workers "are striking against the government retirement measures because they are imposed on us in the absence of any kind of social negotiations," the Socialist ABVV union said in a statement. Another day of action is planned for Jan. 30, when a summit of EU government leaders is planned. In Paris, the airport security personnel strike continued but delays were shortening and no flight cancellations were recorded at De Gaulle, Paris' busiest airport Wednesday. Unions representing workers who conduct pat-downs on travelers and operate the bag-screening machines launched the walkout a week ago to demand negotiations over an increase in pay. It was timed for maximum effect during the holiday getaway season.
[Associated
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