Successful strike at Ampacet 

The courage and determination of the Ampacet workers has paid off. On the 25th day of the strike, an agreement was reached between the OGBL and Ampacet management in the social conflict that has pitted the company’s employees against their management since last March.

The agreement, signed on December 21, 2023, provides for the full reinstatement of the provisions of the previous collective agreement, which was unilaterally terminated by management a few weeks ago. This termination was the trigger for the strike at the company. In this context, the reinstatement of the provisions of the previous collective agreement was a sine qua non condition for the signing of any agreement with management.

However, while the reinstatement of the old CBA was a necessary condition for reaching an agreement with management, it was not sufficient to end the current social conflict. As part of the agreement reached with management, the OGBL won a number of improvements for the workers, in addition to maintaining all previous gains.

These include: a substantial wage increase, the introduction of a new salary scale with an almost automatic annual promotion mechanism, and the payment of a one-off bonus of 600 euros in January 2024.

The agreement also stipulates that the employer will continue to pay the 13th month’s salary in full.

The agreement also includes a guarantee of social peace, ensuring that workers who participated in the strike will not face reprisals from their employer in the future.

Finally, it should be noted that the new collective agreement is valid for a period of three years.

The OGBL wishes to pay tribute to the commitment, courage and unwavering determination of the striking workers at Ampacet, who waged an exemplary struggle over these 25 days, and without whom this agreement would never have seen the light of day.

The OGBL would also like to express its sincere thanks to all those who have taken the initiative to support the Ampacet workers financially by contributing to the strike fund, which now stands at around 85,000 euros!

The OGBL would also like to thank all the people and organizations who, in one way or another, supported the workers and their union during this struggle, including the many anonymous people who stopped by the strike picket every day to bring something to warm bodies and minds, but also the musicians who organized support concerts in front of the company, the communes of Bettembourg, Rumelange and Dudelange who sent firewood, and the political parties (LSAP, déi Lénk, déi gréng and KPL) who publicly supported the strike.

Moreover, the OGBL stresses the total passivity of the government throughout this conflict, at a time when the Luxembourg social model was literally being trampled underfoot. In fact, apart from calling for the resumption of social dialogue, members of the government never felt the need to intervene.

Finally, it should be noted that with the signing of this victorious agreement for the OGBL, unanimously approved by the striking employees, the strike that began on November 27 at Ampacet is officially over.

OGBL press release,
December 21, 2023