On Thursday 12 November 2020, the steel tripartite met for the third time in the framework of discussions related to job cuts at Luxembourg-headquartered steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal.

After six meetings of the working group, the parties have managed to get halfway through the first stage of this restructuring matter.

This first stage consisted of building a real investment plan in order to demonstrate to the LCGB trade union and the government ArcelorMittal's desire to perpetuate the production tools and central administration in Luxembourg and thus guarantee the existence of employees. In addition, the task of the working group was to consider all possibilities in order to reduce the announced number of 536 jobs to be eliminated. The working group was able to identify 308 early retirement departures, 237 of which were adjusted early retirement. In addition, a remaining overstaffing of 280 posts should be expected, whilst 202 positions should be replaced.

The investment plan provides for an overall budget of €200 million maximum and €150 million minimum with a part exclusively dedicated to technological development allowing the sustainability of production sites as well as ten large-scale projects from the SCORE project. The LCGB, however, strongly insisted on four vital projects for the future of the Belval, Differdange, Rodange and Bissen sites.

The LCGB noted and regretted ArcelorMittal's intention to transfer the activities of the Dommeldange site to the other production sites, with the likely closing of the Dommeldange site and atelier as a consequence. The trade union argued that: "This deleterious attitude is completely contrary to the initial announcement of the management who had confirmed not to proceed with site closures! The site finds itself suspended in a macabre 'deal' between relocation of the activity and attractive land value!"

Regarding the activities targeted by outsourcing, the LCGB reiterated its opposition to any outsourcing of steel industry activities. However, as agreed in the tripartite framework, the trade union proposed a compromise, which consists of agreeing on the following preconditions in case of outsourcing:

- as a priority, an analysis of the existing skills within the residual overstaffing in order to avoid outsourcing and to favour ArcelorMittal staff;
- the activities concerned must be the subject of a detailed presentation to the social partners;
- the staff concerned must have the temporary loan of labour for at least the entire duration of the tripartite agreement with the possibility of using a "return ticket" at the end;
- when all options are exhausted and outsourcing is inevitable, the LCGB asks that other hires be given priority over "CORE Business" activities either for technological development or for the organisation of the pace of work.

The LCGB concluded that the first stage is halfway completed. The working group has been tasked with completing the work on outsourcing activities by finding a compromise, which will limit the impact on the workstations. As for the most important pillar of investments, the working group will deepen discussions on the details of each investment and possibly an increase in the budget envelope. For the LCGB, however, the strategic choice and the importance of the investment remain essential.