No fewer than 15 meetings, each lasting almost a day, and still no result in sight: negotiations for a collective contract at Cargolux remain in a gridlock for the time being.

The Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) refuses to label the meetings as negotiations.

Although the syndicate decided to initiate an attempt at conciliation, Cargolux management has appealed the decision, says LCGB spokesperson Paul de Araujo.

The last collective contract at Cargolux expired at the end of 2022. The LCGB now demands that the efforts of the workforce of past years be honoured, especially since the cargo airline made enormous profits during that time.

De Araujo noted: "They were not easy times, but staff were present throughout, which practically enabled Cargolux to register three record-breaking years in a row. We simply ask for an equitable return for people, meaning an improvement in wages and a sustainable improvement of work conditions with a better conciliation between work and private life."

The trade union also questions Cargolux officials' refusal to conduct serious negotiations and opt for conciliation, explained de Araujo: "It is clearly the choice of Cargolux to destroy the Luxembourgish model for social dialogue and thereby question conciliation itself. That is unacceptable as it would destroy the entire system."

On Wednesday, Cargolux will hold its general assembly and present the results of the past year. It remains to be seen whether the airline will also address the question on how to proceed with negotiations on a new collective contract.