LeTEC strike halts Charleroi buses and cuts one in three Liège-Verviers journeys
A 48-hour LeTEC strike halted all buses in Charleroi and cancelled about one journey in three across Liège-Verviers on Thursday 27 August, with further disruption scheduled for Friday.
The stoppage removes or reduces essential public transport during the first week of the French-speaking school year, disrupting access to work, education, healthcare and connecting rail services across two major Walloon urban areas.
Updated 27 August 2026 — A 48-hour strike by workers halted all bus services in and cancelled about one journey in three across on Thursday morning, 27 August, according to LeTEC figures reported by 7sur7 and local outlet Today in Liège. The action affects the Walloon public transport operator’s wider network and continues on Friday 28 August.
In , said the disruption was evolving and cancellations could rise to one journey in two during the day. The operator reported that BUSWAY 2 was running for the most part, while the Liège tram was operating at roughly half its normal frequency, according to Today in Liège. In , no buses left the depots, 7sur7 reported. Passengers across were advised by LeTEC, through notices relayed by Télé MB and the University of Liège, to check the operator’s website or mobile application before travelling and to arrange alternatives where possible.
The common union front called the two-day strike after talks with management failed to settle a dispute over an annual €100 allocation in eco-vouchers. Télé MB reported that negotiations on Tuesday ended without agreement. The unions want the benefit retained, while management says it formed part of a collective labour agreement that expired at the end of 2025, according to The Brussels Times and QU4TRE. CGSP representative Serge Delchambre said management had proposed restoring the vouchers in exchange for ending compensatory “heat hours”. marketing director Stéphane Thiery told QU4TRE that Tuesday’s meeting concerned the company’s broader savings plan rather than a final negotiation on eco-vouchers.
The dispute sits within a larger financial negotiation at the . The Brussels Times and QU4TRE reported that its 2024-2028 public-service contract sets a savings target of about €20 million by 2029, slightly more than 2% of the overall budget. Unions and management are expected to continue discussing that programme through the end of the year.
The immediate pressure falls on commuters, school pupils and other passengers during the first week of the French-speaking school year. Friday’s service level remains unknown and can change by route, so passengers should verify individual journeys shortly before departure. The strike notice ends after 28 August; had not announced a confirmed network-wide timetable for a full return to normal when this update was prepared.
Impact
Regional — Charleroi faces the sharpest confirmed impact, with no bus service reported. Liège-Verviers retains partial bus, tram and BUSWAY operations, but passengers face cancellations and reduced frequencies.
Local — Charleroi experienced the most severe confirmed disruption, with no LeTEC buses operating during Thursday’s update. In Liège-Verviers, about one journey in three was cancelled, while the Liège tram ran at approximately half frequency and bus and BUSWAY services remained reduced. The stoppage affects local trips to schools, workplaces and healthcare facilities, as well as connections with railway stations. Because service levels can change during industrial action, conditions on individual routes may differ from the overall regional figures.
What it means for you
Passengers in Charleroi, Liège and Verviers should not assume their normal service will operate on Friday 28 August 2026. Check the latest LeTEC website or app information immediately before travelling and arrange walking, cycling, car-sharing, taxi or remote-work alternatives where possible. In Charleroi, plan on buses being unavailable unless LeTEC confirms otherwise. In Liège-Verviers, allow extra time because cancellations and reduced tram frequency may disrupt railway connections. Parents and students should confirm school travel arrangements directly, particularly during the first week of the French-speaking school year.
Opposing perspectives
- Common transport unions
The CGSP-led common union front wants the annual €100 eco-voucher benefit retained. Serge Delchambre said the proposal to restore it only in exchange for ending heat-related compensatory hours was unacceptable and treated employees without respect.
- LeTEC management
Management says the eco-vouchers were provided through a collective labour agreement that expired in December 2025. Stéphane Thiery said the latest meeting addressed the broader savings programme and was not a final negotiation dedicated to the vouchers.
Who, where and what
Key people, places and terms in this story
Belgian region whose LeTEC public-transport network is affected by the industrial action.
Walloon city where no LeTEC buses were operating during Thursday’s reported update.
Walloon city where bus, tram and BUSWAY services continued at reduced levels.
Walloon city within the operating area where roughly one journey in three was cancelled.
LeTEC operating area reporting cancellations affecting about one third of scheduled journeys.
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Belgian region whose LeTEC public-transport network is affected by the industrial action.
Walloon city where no LeTEC buses were operating during Thursday’s reported update.
Walloon city where bus, tram and BUSWAY services continued at reduced levels.
Walloon city within the operating area where roughly one journey in three was cancelled.
LeTEC operating area reporting cancellations affecting about one third of scheduled journeys.
Two-day industrial action disrupting Walloon public transport.
Employee benefit at the centre of the immediate dispute between unions and management.
Commercial identity of Wallonia’s public bus, tram and light-metro operator and the network affected by the strike.
Walloon public-transport operator that runs services under the LeTEC identity.
Urban tram service operating at approximately half frequency during the strike.
Public-transport service operating at reduced levels in the Liège-Verviers area.
Sources & evidence
- View source7sur7Primaryprimary· 7sur7.be· 27 August 2026Retrieved 27 August 2026· 36 days ago· Dated
- View sourceToday in Liègecorroborating· todayinliege.be· 27 August 2026Retrieved 27 August 2026· 36 days ago· Dated
- View sourceTélé MBcorroborating· telemb.be· 26 August 2026Retrieved 27 August 2026· 37 days ago· Dated
- View sourceQU4TREcorroborating· qu4tre.be· 26 August 2026Retrieved 27 August 2026· 37 days ago· Dated
Related topics
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This briefing was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by a Belgium Impulse editor before publication. methodology.