Unions decry 'declaration of war on all employees'

The Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) has issued a stark warning, indicating that a strike is imminent.

Stefan Osorio, Deputy Secretary General of the OGBL's Chemicals union, asserted that a strike decision is on the horizon, stating, "In the next few hours, or at most, in a few days, we will decide to go on strike. It's a tactical decision, but we're ready."

The labour dispute at Ampacet Luxembourg has intensified after failed conciliation efforts earlier this month. The US company, which has been operating successfully in the production of masterbatches for the plastics industry at the Wolser business park since 2013, now faces increasing unrest among its 65 production and forklift operators at the Dudelange plant.

© Domingos Oliveira / RTL

The root of the discord lies in the management's proposal of a 0.3% pay increase, a figure sharply contrasted by the demands of OGBL staff representatives calling for a 2.5% pay raise and an additional three days of holiday for all employees. Osorio emphasised the discrepancy, citing the company's robust financial performance, with last year's profits reaching €3.7 million and a total of €10.4 million in profits accumulated over the past four years.

88% of employees vote in favour of strike action

The tipping point has arrived, marked by a resounding mandate for strike action. "88% of employees have voted in favour of a strike," revealed Osorio, underscoring significant participation in an internal consultation where 90% of employees engaged, despite challenging circumstances preventing the consultation on Ampacet's premises due to heightened pressure.

Osorio highlighted growing frustration: "For all these months, management hasn't moved a millimetre," despite what he described as reasonable demands from the staff delegation.

Alain Rolling, secretary general of the Chemicals union at the OGBL: "Ampacet is a national issue! This is an attack on our collective labour agreement." / © Maurice Fick / RTL

Adding to the complexity, the current management, in place for two years, has taken an unprecedented step by denying the trade union priority and referring the matter to the National Conciliation Office, typically the responsibility of the union. Osorio described this move as "unheard of in Luxembourg."

Furthermore, Ampacet Luxembourg has "denounced the collective labour agreement," a move characterised by Osorio as "nothing other than a declaration of war on all Ampacet Luxembourg employees." Last Monday, after sixteen weeks of negotiations, it was also the management who "requested a non-conciliation."

The OGBL expressed bewilderment at these unconventional tactics, including the "unlawful" reworking of certain passages in the collective agreement. Osorio highlighted the extreme measures taken by the employer, stating, "The boss even wanted to tell people when they had to take their leave."

National collection campaign in support of striking workers

Alain Rolling, Secretary General of the Chemicals union, emphasised the significance of the dispute, stating, "We're used to a lot of attacks from industry, but here they're attacking our collective labour agreement. The boss broke it so he could throw it in the bin and do what he wants! He didn't want to negotiate with us." He added that "in Luxembourg, we have a social model, and they have to respect that."

"Now they want to take everything away from us, but we're ready to fight to keep what we have," said Rabah Bouaddou, staff representative at Ampacet Luxembourg. The forklift operator acknowledged the unfortunate situation, noting its potential impact on the company's global reputation. However, he attributed the negative publicity to the management's actions, stating, "it's management that is pushing us to do this."

As the employees face the prospect of not being paid during the strike, just before the holiday season, the OGBL plans to launch a national collection campaign across all companies in the country where the union is represented.