Transport strike grips Brussels

The action by bus, tram and tube drivers employed by Societe des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles (STIB) is paralysing the capital.

STIB staff launched the strike after a STIB inspector was killed on Saturday.

He was at the scene of a minor accident between a bus and a car when a friend of the car driver reportedly laid into him.

The 56-year-old man of Albanian origin who had worked for the agency for 29 years died of head injuries later in the day.

The suspect has been arrested.

Unions have been demanding stepped-up security on transport routes for years, citing an increasing number of violent acts committed by members of the public.

On Saturday STIB demanded talks with Interior Minister Joelle Milquet. The Ministry announced today that Mr Milquet will meet STIB representatives this afternoon.

Robert Timmermans of the CSC-Transcom transport and communications union said: "Nothing will move before talks with the minister.

"We expect clear and firm measures and no small steps - the security problem in public transport is not new."

STIB spokesman Francoise Ledune said staff resent being expected to act as policemen.

"We already do a lot and maybe even too much. We do a role that is not necessarily ours. Action in the short term must be taken at political level," hea said.

"There is certainly work to do in the longer term as well."

Speaking in parliament on Saturday, Yaron Pesztat of the Green Ecolo party said: "We are appalled, shocked and outraged by what happened.

"Our thoughts are with the family but also to the STIB staff - we understand their reaction.

"When individuals consider themselves authorised to settle scores with violence, this is not only a security problem but also a social problem."