ALEBA, the largest trade union in the Luxembourg financial sector, has issued a statement in which it has "noted with regret" the continued stagnation in negotiations relating to the collective agreement for the security sector in Luxembourg.
Since the expiry of the last collective agreement on 30 September 2022, no new agreement has been reached, despite what the union describes as numerous promises made during the health crisis.
ALEBA has stated that this situation is all the more worrying given that working conditions in the sector have visibly deteriorated.
"While security professionals were designated as "indispensable" at the height of the crisis, it is clear that commitments to recognition have not been followed by lasting results. Wage increases have not been enough to offset the rising cost of living. Employees' purchasing power remains under pressure.
It is also imperative to put the professionalization of the sector back on the agenda. An ambitious reform of continuing education and training and the criteria for access to security positions (from agent to administrative staff) is required. The Luxembourg model could thus draw inspiration from the standards in force in our European neighbours, such as Belgium, France, and Germany. This approach would strengthen the consistency and quality of service while promoting career paths.
ALEBA, with over fifty years of experience in negotiating collective agreements, deplores the systematic exclusion of non-representative unions at the national level from sectoral discussions. This restrictive approach undermines the representativeness and effectiveness of negotiations. Above all, it deprives employees of new proposals, coming directly from grassroots unions that listen to their members. We therefore solemnly call for a reform of the sectoral bargaining framework to include all representative unions at the company or sector level, regardless of their "national" label. Such an opening would allow for a richer, more representative, and therefore more legitimate social dialogue.
Finally, should no progress be made, ALEBA declares itself ready to consider, alongside other solidarity-based unions, any large-scale action aimed at ensuring that the rights and expectations of the sector's 5,000 employees are respected".
