On Monday, trade unions OGBL and LCGB accepted the Prime Minister’s invitation for a social roundtable on 9 July, where they will discuss pension reform and Sunday work, among other topics.
The Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) and the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) gathered in a meeting on Monday morning and confirmed that they would accept Prime Minister Luc Frieden's invitation to a social roundtable on 9 July.
The meeting will finally offer the possibility for the trade unions to get together and discuss various issues with the government and the employer's association.
On Monday morning, LCGB and OGBL presidents Patrick Dury and Nora Back had already hinted at the meeting in an interview with our colleagues from RTL.lu. It has now officially been confirmed by a letter directed at the prime minister.
Nevertheless, the meeting is tied to certain conditions – in particular, an adjustment of the agenda. Four points need to be addressed: collective agreements, Sunday work, minimum wage and finally the pension reform.
The unions also want certain written guarantees – specifically, that unions will continue to negotiate and sign collective agreements.
Regarding shop opening hours, the planned draft law should be amended so that current hours are maintained and any extension would only be possible through an inter-professional agreement or a collective agreement.
The three social partners should also reach a new agreement on a tripartite model.
The heads of OGBL and LCGB asserted during Monday's interview that they were ready to take extreme measures in case the 9 July meeting fails. What that entails will only be communicated if it should come to that.
Upon RTL's inquiry, the employer's association stated that they hope for constructive discussions with the trade unions.
