The president of the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) joined our colleagues on RTL Radio on Monday morning to discuss the industry tripartite meeting and a potential reduction of work hours, among other things.
Dury first addressed the negotiations, or lack thereof, between the LCGB and Cargolux. He explained that management of the airline is refusing to conduct proper talks on a new collective contract, which he says puts the integrity of Luxembourg's social model at risk. After 15 days of talks, there is still no progress in sight.
A legal obligation for a job retention plan
Unions have been looking for alternatives to unemployment for years. The job retention plan is a possible way forward, which is why Dury argues that it should "finally" become a legal obligation. Otherwise, workers' representatives have to convince ministry and company officials each time a vast number of employees face job losses, said Dury.
The LCGB head further explained that following the industry tripartite meeting last week, two job retention plans are being set up, one with Dupont Teijn Films, the other with Husky Technologies.
Nevertheless, Dury expressed fears that there may still be some elderly employees who are without a perspective at the end of negotiations. He said that they should be retrained rather than let go, as was done at Luxair, for instance.
Reduction of work hours
On Tuesday, Minister of Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy Georges Engel will present the results of a study on the reduction of work hours.
According to Dury, there is no need to carry out further studies as this is already common practice in some collective contracts. He further said that social partners should have been included in the ministry's analysis as they are experienced in the rearrangement of work time and end up being the ones to implement them in practice.
