A delegation of the LSAP and a delegation of the OGBL Executive Board met on November 28 to share their respective analyses of the new government’s coalition agreement. At the meeting, LSAP and OGBL noted that the government’s plan is characterized by a conservative-liberal approach. The LSAP and OGBL therefore share a certain concern about the measures announced, particularly in the areas of labor law, pensions and health care.

In the area of labor law, the discussions focused on making the organization of working hours in companies more flexible, extending Sunday work, and introducing hourly “job vouchers”. It is clear to both the LSAP and the OGBL that such changes will have a dramatic impact on workers. The LSAP and OGBL will monitor the development of these policies with the utmost vigilance and will discuss them as soon as necessary.

In the face of these conservative-liberal policies, it goes without saying that the progressive forces of Luxembourg society must unite. This is to ensure that social gains are not jeopardized, while continuing to work, each in his or her own role, for a fairer society based on solidarity.

Press release of OGBL and LSAP
December 1, 2023

Exactly 50 years ago, on October 9, 1973, a great day of action and strike took place in Luxembourg, one of the biggest trade union demonstrations of the post-war period. Thanks to this mass mobilization, the LAV, the blue collar workers’ union, from which the OGBL emerged and which initiated the day of action, succeeded in putting its ideas on the political agenda and even marked the 1974 election campaign, which led to the first government without CSV participation since 1926.

At its congress in May 1973, the LAV had decided to organize a large demonstration in the fall, accompanied by a work stoppage, to bring pressure to bear on its newly adopted program of demands. It proposed that the other unions join the action, but the FEP and LCGB refused. In the end, the LAV organized the demonstration and strike largely on its own; while the LVOV and FLTL called for participation in the rally, they refrained from striking, while the FNCTTFEL and CGFP leaderships relied on declarations of solidarity.

The date of the action was set for October 9, 1973, the beginning of the 1973-1974 parliamentary session.

A 14-point list of demands summarizing the LAV’s main proposals was widely circulated. Among the key points were co-determination in the workplace, progressive reform of health insurance, promotion of social housing, the fight against speculation in building land, tax relief on wage supplements, negative taxes for low-income earners, and the introduction or generalization of free public transport for workers and students.

Despite threats from Minister of State Pierre Werner and various employers that the October 9 strike would be illegal, the campaign bore fruit and participation exceeded the organizers’ expectations. The strike call was taken up in most industrial, craft and construction sectors, as well as in several public enterprises.

Between 25,000 and 40,000 people took part in the central demonstration, which linked the capital’s train station to Place Guillaume.

This day of action can be considered a complete success, even a political earthquake. Not only was it the first major strike action since 1958, it was also the largest trade union demonstration of the post-war period.

Thanks to this mass mobilization, the LAV succeeded in putting its ideas on the political agenda and left its mark on the 1974 election campaign, which led to the first government without CSV participation since 1926.

A year after the demonstration, the LAV was able to claim that several of the demands of the October 9 demonstration had already been fully or at least partially implemented:

• the introduction of joint works councils and workers’ representatives on the boards of large companies;
• the reform of the health insurance system (harmonization of benefits between different health insurance funds, increased state participation in financing, equalization of employer and employee contributions);
• adjustment of accident pensions;
• reform of the labor inspection system;
• generalization of free school transportation and discounts for the elderly;
• increased tax allowances on salary supplements.

As of January 1, 1975, the 40-hour work week was also generalized and the 5th week of vacation (25 days) was introduced.

By initiating a major demonstration on October 9, 1973, the LAV took a major step forward in strengthening the Luxembourg welfare state.

Published by OGBL, October 9, 2023

On October 7th, 2023, an extraordinary congress of the FNCTTFEL-Landesverband took place, where all delegates, i.e. 100%, voted for the definitive integration into the OGBL with effect from January 31st, 2024.

Some historical background

At an Extraordinary Congress held on December 2, 2019, the motion to provisionally integrate the FNCTTFEL-Landesverband into the OGBL was approved by 76.19% of the delegates present at the time. The delegates of the OGBL also voted in favor of this agreement at their Congress on December 6 and 7, 2019, with 99.6% approval.
The provisional integration of the Landesverband into the OGBL took effect on July 1, 2020, and was initially scheduled to last until December 31, 2024. At the end of 2024, each of the two syndicates had to decide whether to terminate the agreement or to integrate permanently into the OGBL.

Reason for early integration

The reason for the early integration of the FNCTTFEL-Landesverband into the OGBL is that, at the time of the integration document, the date for the 2024 social elections had not yet been set. Given that the social elections will take place in March 2024 and that the voters will therefore know before the elections which union they will be voting for, the Executive Committee of the FNCTTFEL-Landesverband has decided to propose to the delegates at an extraordinary congress that the definitive date of integration be brought forward to January 31, 2024, so that it can take part in the social elections in March 2024 as “Syndicat Chemins de Fer OGBL/FNCTTFEL-Landesverband” and not as FNCTTFEL-Landesverband.
It should be noted that after this integration, the Landesverband will not disappear from the trade union scene. On the contrary, it will continue to exist under a new structure within the OGBL.
However, after January 31, 2024, it will no longer operate as an autonomous union, but will carry out its activities within the OGBL in the autonomous Chemins de Fer OGBL/FNCTTFEL Syndicate, which will be created in 2020 for the entire CFL group and any other railway company, as well as in the two existing syndicates, the SEW/Landesverband teaching assistants and the Public Services OGBL/Landesverband Syndicate civil service.

Georges MERENZ
President FNCTTFEL

Josy BOURGGRAFF
Secretary General FNCTTFEL National Federation

The OGBL would like to remind you that civic rights and duties, including the right to vote, are part of the exemptions from work that all employees must enjoy with full pay, in accordance with article L. 233-11 of the Labor Code.

All employees who work on Sunday, October 8, 2023, and who wish to vote in the legislative elections during the opening hours of the polling stations (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) are therefore entitled to do so during their working hours, without being penalized in any way.

However, for reasons of work organization, the OGBL advises workers to discuss this exemption from work with their employers in advance.

Finally, the OGBL invites any employee who encounters obstacles in exercising this right to send an e-mail to the following address: contact.ogbl.lu.

Press release of the OGBL, October 4, 2023

The Maison du Peuple in Esch-sur-Alzette was packed on September 13th for the OGBL’s Grand Oral. Less than three weeks before the legislative elections, the OGBL organized a round table with representatives of eight political parties. A unique opportunity to hear what these different parties have to say to the world of work. And it’s fair to say that the evening lived up to its promise.

The atmosphere was often electric, Georges Engel (Minister of Labor – LSAP), Marc Spautz (Deputy and former Minister – CSV), Pim Knaff (Deputy and Alderman of Esch – DP) and Meris Sehovic (Alderman of Esch and leading candidate – déi Gréng), Carole Thoma (spokeswoman and head of the southern list – déi Lénk), Bruno Da Silva (candidate in the south – Pirate Party), Ali Ruckert (president of the KPL) and Frank Engel (president and founder of FOKUS) spoke for over an hour and a half.

The round table discussion revolved around five general topics: the index, taxation, health policy, shorter working time and the pension system. Each topic was opened by a question to the eight candidates, to which they had to respond simultaneously by raising a poster with their answers, before the discussion went deeper. “Can your party guarantee that the index will not be manipulated or capped in any way?”, “Is your party in favor of a permanent reindexation of the tax scale?”, “Are you in favor of private medical practices being able to operate MRI scanners?”, “Are you in favor of a general reduction in working hours without loss of pay?”, “When is the pension wall due?” Certainly a highlight of the evening.

A round table discussion that undoubtedly allowed us to find out a little more about what these eight political parties are proposing.

The roundtable was filmed and can now be viewed on the OGBL Youtube channel in Luxemburgish and With French subtitles.

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