On Thursday 21 December 2023, the LCGB, OGBL and NGL-SNEP trade unions reported that what they describe as a "comprehensive agreement" has been signed regarding jobs, working conditions and livelihoods of employees that have been guaranteed in relation to the soon-to-be transferred Luxembourg airport CargoCentre activity.
According to the unions, at the end of May 2023, Luxair decided to no longer participate in the tender for licenses for “Ground handling cargo”. Consequently, the 1,200 CargoCentre employees had to experience seven months of "uncertainties and concerns" about the sustainability of their jobs and working conditions. After numerous steps by the unions, including multiple meetings with all parties involved and the organisation of a protest picket on 29 September 2023, a global agreement in the interest of all CargoCenter staff was finally reached.
On 21 December 2023, the LCGB, OGBL and NGL-SNEP unions signed an agreement with the general management of Luxair and Luxcargo Handling concerning the transfer of staff from Luxair's CargoCentre to Luxcargo Handling following the award of licenses for the supply of “Ground handling cargo” services.
The overall agreement signed provides for the following:
1) Employees transferred to Luxcargo Handling will benefit from a job guarantee. In the event of possible overstaffing, no dismissals for economic reasons will take place and, where applicable, Luxcargo Handling undertakes to negotiate an employment retention plan (SME) with the contracting unions.
2) An individual collective agreement for Luxcargo Handling will be concluded on the basis of the Luxair collective agreement guaranteeing the protection of employees' rights and acquired rights from the date of the transfer of personnel.
3) Adequate staff representation will be guaranteed from the transfer of staff in order to be able to support the transfer of employees.
4) An agreement on existing agreements and extra-legal benefits specific to Luxair personnel for transferred employees could be found.
According to the unions, this is a good overall agreement as the points above address the concerns and uncertainties of CargoCenter staff and represent a substantial improvement over the provisions of the law regarding the transfer of an activity. Their statement added "It is only thanks to the perseverance of the unions with the permanent support of the staff during the various union actions and demonstrations that this overall agreement could be obtained. The global agreement concluded with Luxair and Luxcargo Handling demonstrates recognition of the flawless work carried out to date by the CargoCentre staff by guaranteeing the sustainability of their jobs, their working conditions and their existence."
