61st National LCGB Congress, 2025;
Credit: LCGB
On Saturday 8 February 2025, the 61st National Congress of the Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtleche Gewerkschaftsbond (LCGB trade union) brought together union representatives to set strategic priorities for the next five years, focusing on key labour issues, workers' rights, social protection and economic challenges.
According to the organisers, the event provided an opportunity for approximately 280 delegates and guests in attendance not only to discuss the union's key priorities and challenges for the next five years but also to reflect on past achievements and elect the National President.
Among the guests were national trade union representatives from the Luxembourg Chamber of Employees (CSL), including Nora Back, President of the CSL and President of the OGBL, Jean-Claude Reding, Vice-President of the CSL and Sylvain Hoffmann, Director of the CSL. Additionally, LCGB's legal partners were represented by the Portuguese law firm Sónia Falcão da Fonseca, as well as Etude Bauler and Etude Luxlex.
Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, the Minister for the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, the Minister of Sport and Minister for Labour, Georges Mischo and Fränz Schartz, Honorary President of ONGD Guiden a Scouten fir ENG Welt, were also in attendance.
The congress was shaped by discussions surrounding the 2024 social elections, as well as current developments and challenges in the labour sector. In his opening speech, LCGB Secretary General Francis Lommel highlighted the union's evolution into a modern organisation offering innovative services for its members and equipping itself with the necessary expertise to tackle today's challenges.
National President Patrick Dury also presented the financial report, highlighting a solid and positive outcome for the union. "Today, two social elections later, I can say with satisfaction that we have quickly overcome financial difficulties and built an efficient and strong organisation—one that has not only achieved positive election results but also demonstrated substantial membership growth.
We have made the necessary decisions to prevent the overlap of political and trade union mandates, ensuring that the LCGB remains a credible and independent force. Through dedicated work and commitment, the union has restored its credibility—failure was never an option for us," stated Patrick Dury.
In the final resolution of the congress, delegates reaffirmed the key priorities of the action programme, committing to a strong engagement for solidarity and social justice in the 21st century.
Given the current socio-political climate, an emergency resolution was also adopted, underscoring the joint trade union front of LCGB and OGBL in defending the rights and social achievements of both employees and pensioners.
The emergency resolution stated: "In light of the unprecedented challenges to our welfare state - built upon social dialogue within the tripartite framework - and our social model, which guarantees social peace in Luxembourg, LCGB and OGBL will structure and coordinate their trade union actions to form a united front."
This resolution will also be discussed by delegates at the 9th/XXXIV Ordinary Congress of the OGBL, further strengthening the commitment to collective action in defence of workers' rights.
IK
