The trade unions deemed the talks successful, in that they obtained a promise from the government not to remove the exclusive rights to negotiate collective agreements. However, everything else remained unsolved, Back told RTL on Thursday morning.
When asked if she was prioritising the unions’ right to exist over everything else, Back countered that the role of the unions in collective agreements goes further than that, and is vital in ensuring wages and working conditions for everyone in the country. She said the government’s guarantees were less of a concession, and more of a necessity to continue addressing other points of contention, such as Sunday working hours, minimum wage, and pension reform. Securing these assurances from the government was the result of working together as trade unions, she added, and also from putting pressure on the government through demonstrations.
Making the collective agreement a point of contention was an attempt by the government and employers to change Luxembourg’s social model, Back said.
On Monday, the social partners will return to the negotiating table in the hopes of finding a solution to the outstanding issues. Until then, Back has ruled out any further protests or strikes, as a sign of good faith.
The unions are prepared to engage with compromises or concessions, the OGBL president said. On the subject of pensions, Back pointed to her 130-page document of proposals, which she said was a sign that she would not simply reject all other ideas.
Sunday working hours, on the other hand, have been a topic much discussed over the past two decades, without any resolution. Back said this was not solely due to the unions, attributing some of the blame to employers who simply want staff to work longer hours. The discussion will now be handed over to the labour and employment committee, who will report their findings to the social partners in the autumn.
Back acknowledged the negotiations, which spanned eleven hours, had been difficult, and at times seemed as though they were about to fail. But she praised the fact they had managed breakthroughs despite the tension and cold atmosphere.
Nevertheless, Back expressed optimism about Monday’s talks, as the unions would re-examine where they could make concessions in the hope of coming to an agreement.
