The LCGB trade union has come forward against the OGB-L, which it claimed has blocked a collective agreement which would improve working conditions for private bus drivers travelling journeys of less than 50km.

According to a statement released Thursday by the LCGB, the OGB-L has prevented a resolution to the problem from being reached, citing the trade union as "infantile" in its demands for "all or nothing".

The FLEAA, LCGB and OGB-L reportedly came together in support of a draft regulation developed by the Ministry of Development and Sustainable Infrastructure which would involve the current system of 45 minute rests every four-and-a-half hours by 'mini breaks', which would aim to facilitate planning more coherent to the reality on the fround as well as a decrease in unpaid waiting time.

The LCGB has shown its support for the regulation, advocating all the while for the implementation of safeguards to avoid an abuse of the system. The FLEAA has been experiencing difficulties in securing these guarantees, without which the unions cannot give the green light to the Ministry. Consequently, union jointly submitted the case to the National Conciliation Office (ONC) on 14 December 2015 to resolve the blocking of the collective agreement negotiations.

The LCGB has now claimed that it has attempted to introduce a series of proposals to unblock the situation, stating that it would be ready to accept the part of the Grand-Ducal Regulation concerning the 'mini breaks' as long as it permitted established guarantees by introducing an amendment to the collective agreement:

- The 'mini breaks' circulations would have a maximum range of 10 hours, any time exceeding which would be considered overtime;
- A right to scrutiny, right of assent and increased intervention for staff delegations;
- The formal and immediate commitment of the FLEAA in resuming negotiations in order to finalise the collective agreement negotiations, with the agenda and dates, as soon as possible.

Although in mid-January 2016, representatives of the FLEAA fully accepted a proposal developed jointly by the OBG-L and LCGB, the LCGB has claimed that the OGB-L has since withdrawn and distanced itself from the proposal, citing its lack of leveraging power in negotiations as the reason behind it.

The LCGB was of the opinion that "a reliable solution for all employees of the private bus sector is within reach" and urged the OGB-L to agree to the 'mini-breaks' regulation in order to continue negotiations.

An information meeting for all employees in the private bus sector is being held at 09:30 on Sunday 21 February 2016 at the 'A Mouschelt' cultural centre, 250 Route de Fischbach, 7447 Lintgen.

 

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