Long live October 9th!

You could be forgiven for thinking that those who haven’t yet decided where to put their cross when they go to the polls will also find it hard to make up their minds on October 8. You could also think, especially if you read the slogans on the thousands of campaign posters, that they all want the same thing and that the embarrassment of choice is limited to the question of the cult of personality and the most trustworthy smile. You might also think that since the OGBL doesn’t give voting instructions, it would suddenly become politically abstinent and not get involved in the election campaign. Well, no, it’s just the opposite. We invite ourselves into the campaign and do everything we can to help our members make the right decision. 

So, once again, this dossier is entirely dedicated to the parliamentary elections. Because these elections affect us. Because their outcome will have a direct impact on the hundreds of thousands of people who live and work in Luxembourg. Men and women of Luxembourg origin or from elsewhere, cross-border workers or residents, our members are directly affected by the policies of the next coalition. And a large proportion of OGBL members are also voters. So it goes without saying that we take a close look at the election manifestos of the parties, scrutinize them and point out who’s saying good things and where there’s a “no-go”. Anyone who examines the election manifestos quickly realizes that there are worlds between the different parties.

On October 8, it’s up to us to decide which world we prefer.

First, let’s be clear about some basic principles. We don’t want a coalition of austerity.

Nor do we want political parties that, even today, celebrate tripartite agreements reached without the country’s largest trade union as a great success. We don’t want a government that manipulates the index. We want a government that succeeds in ensuring that there is less inequality in society, not more. We want policies that are implemented in the interest of the people.

We don’t want false promises, we want strong action.

Finally, we also expect a policy that does not allow workers in large national corporations, where the state is the main shareholder, to be forced to go on strike to defend their wages. This was the case in September – a historic moment for the OGBL. For three days, Cargolux workers had to resort to the union’s last resort: strike action. This rarely happens in our country because our Luxembourg model often allows us to maintain social peace. Moreover, it’s never the union’s goal to go on strike. Our goal is to obtain good working conditions and pay. Above all, a strike is an extremely difficult moment, especially for the workers. It is to them that we pay tribute today; they were the heroes of this conflict. But I would also like to thank all those who, in solidarity, helped to win this social conflict. Staff representatives, militants, trade unionists, you make the OGBL what it is.

Even if some of you thought that after the elections on October 8th, things would calm down a bit as far as the electoral campaigns are concerned, you should know that from October 9th we’ll be taking over the streets and the lampposts. Now it’s our turn. According to the credo that after the elections is before the elections, it’s time to prepare for the social elections and continue to give the OGBL the strength it needs to defend the interests of the people here in the face of the political decision-makers. As of October 9, it’s our turn. And that’s a good thing, because October 9th is a symbolic date for the free trade union movement in Luxembourg. Exactly 50 years ago, on October 9, 1973, a great day of action and strikes took place in Luxembourg, one of the biggest trade union demonstrations of the post-war period. So, in conclusion, in four words: Long live October 9th!

Nora Back,  OGBL president