Trust issues halt Cargolux collective agreement

Cargolux remains gridlocked with a union concerning its collective working agreement after an epic, eight-hour meeting.

Wednesday's negotiations with unions ended with Cargolux managers and OGBL representatives reaching a partial agreement. Union LCGB, however, refused to sign because of a “lack of trust” in Cargolux management.

LCGB said that Cargolux had changed its mind several times before a preliminary agreement was reached with the OGBL. At the end of the eight-hour discussion, it said it did not wish to sign an “incomplete agreement” for fear that Cargolux would again change its tack.

The preliminary agreement provides for the renewal of the current collective agreement for a period of two years (from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014).

For each Cargolux service, a specific working group will be established to look at increasing productivity gains, if necessary by adopting flexible working patterns. The two unions will be represented in the working groups and selected proposals by the working groups will be submitted for approval to the bargaining committee. When an agreement is reached, the collective agreement will be amended and signed, the LCGB explained in a press release.

The working groups will represent ground staff, who account for roughly half of Cargolux's employees.

Regarding crew, the alternative proposed by unions, namely the application of a system of fatigue risk management (FRMS), has been accepted by management. The LCGB said that this will “help to find solutions based on a scientific approach, but nothing concrete was agreed at the moment so that the preliminary agreement is not complete.”

LCGB says its members will vote on the preliminary agreement and only when it receives majority support will it sign.