In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) revealed that Ampacet's management had attempted to forcibly remove striking workers from the site through a court order.

These recent developments mark the further escalation of the ongoing industrial dispute that began on Monday at the Ampacet Luxembourg site in Dudelange. The conflict has resulted in a halt in the production of plastic granules, with strikers blocking the entrance to the facility.

In a press release issued on early Wednesday afternoon, the OGBL characterised management's actions as a desperate attempt to break the strike and revealed that the American company launched a legal counter-attack on Tuesday.

Ampacet's lawyers went to court to obtain an interim order to evict the strikers and regain access to the company. On Wednesday morning, "management tried to replace the striking employees with interim workers. This is a criminal offence and a major attack on the right to strike. A right guaranteed by the Constitution," and therefore fundamental, according to the OGBL.

Expressing outrage at what it termed "unacceptable assaults," the OGBL affirmed the determination of the striking employees and vowed to use "all available means" to counter such actions.

Large-scale mobilisation at 3pm on Thursday?

The OGBL called for a large-scale mobilisation on Thursday at 3pm, urging all members and supporters to join the picket line in solidarity with the striking workers. The plant is reportedly operating normally, with 65 workers on shift.

Trade union representatives had previously emphasised that the demands of the employees, including a 2.5% pay raise and three additional days' holiday, are justified, especially considering the company's reported profits of €3.7 million in 2022.

But in the meantime - and this is unusual in Luxembourg - management has unilaterally terminated the collective agreement, taking the matter to the National Conciliation Office itself and requesting a non-conciliation.

As a result, the collective labour agreement that was to be negotiated has been ripped up, and employees will now be paid the social minimum wage. As such, the case calls into question Luxembourg's whole social model.

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