Labour Minister Marc Spautz has called for calm amid growing tensions between trade unions over representation in civil service pay talks, warning that no one benefits from a war between unions. The dispute centres on demands by the private-sector unions OGBL and LCGB to take part in negotiations on the next state salary agreement.
The two unions argue that if they are excluded, the civil servants’ union CGFP should no longer sit on the Permanent Committee for Labour and Employment (CPTE).
Speaking to RTL, Spautz said he understood the unions’ concerns but stressed that the current legal framework governs participation in the CPTE. Under the law, he said, the committee includes the three representative unions: the Independent Trade Union Confederation of Luxembourg (OGBL), the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB), and the civil service.
Spautz noted that the issue had only recently resurfaced in a more concrete form but said he was willing to continue discussions with the unions to explore possible ways forward.
He acknowledged that the growing number of public establishments has led to more state employees working under private-law contracts, while pay agreements in sectors such as healthcare and social services often follow the outcomes of civil service negotiations. This, he said, explains why OGBL and LCGB are seeking at least observer status.
However, the labour minister also underlined that responsibility for negotiating the state salary agreement lies with the Civil Service Minister Serge Wilmes and not directly with his own ministry.
Spautz concluded by expressing hope that the dispute would not escalate, saying a conflict between unions would serve no one.
