Luxembourg's largest trade union will take to the streets on 28 June in a major protest against what OGBL president Nora Back calls "unprecedented attacks" on worker protections, as the newly re-elected leader vows to fight proposed labour reforms that would double Sunday work hours and weaken collective bargaining.
Freshly re-elected as president of the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL), Luxembourg's largest trade union, for another five-year term, Nora Back confirmed Monday that a planned mass demonstration will proceed on 28 June. "We have enough to be angry about with this government," Back told our colleagues from RTL Radio, citing "unprecedented" attacks on the country's social model.
The union leader specifically criticised several proposed labour reforms, including plans to double permitted Sunday work hours from four to eight and extend general business opening hours. She also expressed concerns about potential threats to collective bargaining agreements. While pension reforms remain unclear, Back described the CSV-DP coalition's working hour policies as "frightening" in their current form. The OGBL has joined forces with the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) to organise the June protest, determined not to "wait and see" how policies develop.
Despite government assurances preserving union negotiation rights after the row in the Standing Committee on Labour and Employment, Back expressed concern about potential loopholes that could undermine worker protections. These include possible exemptions for small businesses and provisions that might dilute the terms of collective agreements. The OGBL president demanded "concrete commitments" protecting the integrity of collective bargaining processes.
When questioned about potential CSV allies, Back maintained a pragmatic stance: "We must always be able to defend ourselves," while noting the union remains open to collaboration with all "democratic and progressive" political actors.
"We have said thank you very often"
In response to Minister of Finance Gilles Roth's recent statements about accommodating union demands, Back offered qualified acknowledgment, noting "We have said thank you very often." However, she clarified that the inflation-adjusted tax tables were largely initiated by the previous government, while other concessions only materialised after sustained union pressure. Back emphasised that current measures merely prevent additional tax burdens rather than providing meaningful relief.
Addressing accusations of obstructing modernisation, Back pointed to Luxembourg's impressive economic performance, highlighting the nation's second-highest ranking in both worker productivity and profit-per-employee ratios across Europe. This strong economic position, she argued, makes the country's simultaneous underperformance on social indicators particularly striking. Back specifically noted Luxembourg's failure to meet benchmarks on eight of the European Commission's seventeen key social metrics.
While Minister Roth maintains the government's modest €99 million deficit necessitates continued restraint, Back views this near-balanced budget as an ideal opportunity to expand social programmes.
