Unions win important concession

Working together in a new joint structure, Luxembourg’s two main union confederations have forced an important concession from the country’s government.

The unions have for some months been campaigning against a range of government plans, including on pensions, working time and shop opening hours. But they have been particularly opposed to its intention to allow non-union organisations to sign collective agreements.

Identifying this as a direct threat to their rights, Luxembourg’s two main union confederations, the OGBL and the LCGB, agreed in January 2025 to form a joint front to oppose the proposals. In June, they took this further, setting up a common structure, with co-presidents from the two bodies for the first time.

These organisational changes were followed by action on the streets. On 28 June, the new union body organised a 25,000-strong demonstration against the government — a massive achievement in a country with just 670,000 inhabitants.

This show of force produced results. On 9 July, after an 11-hour negotiating session, the government agreed to drop its plan to allow non-union organisations to sign collective agreements.

The other issues remain on the table and negotiations are continuing. But, as Nora Back, one of co-presidents of the new union body said, “we are happy with the promise relating to collective agreements. Without this concession we wouldn’t have accepted the invitation to the next meeting.”