Some passengers took matters into their own hands and tried to forcibly enter the terminal. Five police officers were injured, also raising questions about police response and understaffing.
The strike began on Monday afternoon, with Charleroi cancelling all departures after 4pm and closing down the airport. Passengers on Twitter said they were provided with no information by their airline or the airport.
All flights have been cancelled for Wednesday.
Security Masters, the contracted security agency, are angry with airport management’s decision to assign passenger security checks to two operators, raising fears over pay and layoffs, reports Brussels Times.
Police were called to the airport to calm the crowd. A picture shows police officers pulling out their truncheons to keep people back from the terminal.
Federal police did not wish to respond to a request for comment. Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden only communicated to RTL.be that “I am convinced that the airport operator and the police are doing their best to keep the situation under control.”
Police unions were clearer in their response: “Heartbreaking amateurism. The federal police are virtually bankrupt thanks to the disinvestment by the political world”, says Theirry Belin, national secretary of the union SNPS. About 150 police officers were present, but 295 would have been needed, says Belin.
The case will be discussed this Wednesday during a higher consultation committee between unions and police services.
