The union representing employees at Cargolux have done an about-face on the principle agreement that had been reached on 1 December. Collective work agreement (CWA) talks between Cargolux management and the unions yesterday were cut short after LCGB (Confédération Luxembourgeoise des Syndicats Chrétiens) unexpectantly backtracked on the principle agreement, declaring that they considered the negotiations had failed as management was not prepared to accept their demands, Cargolux said in a statement.

“LCGB and its members are seemingly unable to accept their responsibility for job security and growth in Luxembourg and to accept the necessity of inevitable change. Cargolux cannot help but wonder about the reliability and credibility of a social partner who agrees on certain compromises, only to negate their own decisions days later,” Cargolux said.

Cargolux management and OGB-L had previously reiterated their intention to sign a new CWA with all parties on board. In light of LCGB’s refusal to continue negotiations, management, CLSC and OGB-L will secure the significant achievements negotiated during the past 15 months and confirm their intention to sign a new CWA this week.

As reported last week, the parties had reached principle agreement on the main terms and the final wording hinged solely on items relating to pilots. The company had already agreed with OGB-L, CLSC and also LCGB on all points concerning Cargolux ground staff. As regards pilot matters, Cargolux said LCGB have since “repeatedly raised new claims and consistently showed little if any willingness to compromise on items concerning their flying members and representatives.

“In today’s meeting, as in previous sessions, LCGB were expressly invited to produce a complete list of all their demands for management’s consideration. This they refused to do,” said Cargolux.

“Cargolux regrets that LCGB, for its own reasons, terminated the negotiations at this late stage when an agreement was within reach. While LCGB seemingly does not care about the negative implications of their decision on all Cargolux employees (of which pilots are in minority) together with the impact on the economic interests of the Grand Duchy, management, OGB-L and CLSC clearly do. It is for this reason that the company, OGB-L and CLSC are ready to seal a new CWA based on the terms agreed during many months of negotiations.”