The General Federation of Municipal Workers (FGFC) released a statement titled ‘Power-grab instead of solidarity’ on Thursday, expressing surprise and concern at the current behaviour of the Independent Trade Union Confederation of Luxembourg (OGBL) and the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB).
According to the FGFC, the trade unions, acting in unison, are said to be deliberately weakening social cohesion through populist statements, causing division in private and public sectors alike.
For years, the OGBL and LCGB have inisisted that only unions representing the nation should have the right to negotiate at national level, but the FGFC said it appears they would not apply this if it prevents them from attaining their ambitions in the public sector.
The FGFC added that they had the impression that their union of two syndicates seems to want to be more dominant than democratic, exclusive rather than diverse, and with the ambition of directing social dialogue along in this country. This is not in the best interest of employees, continued the FGFC, both in the private and public sectors.
“The FGFC continues to stand for a social dialogue based on respect, clear responsibilities, and genuine representativeness,” they wrote. “Union strength arises not from power struggles or polarisation, but from responsibility, transparency, and a willingness to cooperate.”
