© Ben Wagner / RTL
Trade unions LCGB and OGBL have had enough of what they call PM Luc Frieden's "unfair and antisocial policies", and have decided to withdraw from negotiations.
In the aftermath of the controversial State of the Nation address, trade unions OGBL (Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation) and LCGB (Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions) are taking a stand: they are pulling out of all future social rounds, will no longer participate in the Permanent Committee on Labour and Employment, will abstain from votes in the Economic and Social Council, and will not attend any further meetings with Minister of Health and Social Security Martine Deprez.
Pension reform has now been added to the already tense discussions about collective bargaining agreements. OGBL and LCGB have strongly condemned the proposed pension reform plans, calling them unacceptable. “No Prime Minister has ever shown such disregard for social dialogue as Luc Frieden,” OGBL president Nora Back reiterated.
The unions argue that the State of the Nation speech sent a disastrous message to working people. The harshest impact, they say, will fall on young workers. There is no mention of increasing the minimum pension, employees would be penalised, and businesses would remain unaffected.
LCGB president Patrick Dury described the public consultation as nothing more than “political theatre.” He claims the proposed extension of contribution years has no basis in the "Schwätz mat" consultation process and ignores union proposals entirely.
According to Dury, social dialogue is now “officially dead.” Prime Minister Frieden rejected the call for a tripartite meeting on Thursday, "mocking" both unions and pursuing what they describe as “an antisocial and unjust policy.”
As a result, the unions are sending the Prime Minister a formal letter announcing their withdrawal from all negotiations, and that they will not return until a tripartite meeting is convened to discuss these key issues.
© Ben Wagner / RTL
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