Negotiations over the collective work agreement (CWA) between Cargolux Airlines International and the Letzebuerger Chreschtleche Gewerkschaftsbond (LCGB) trade union have collapsed with both sides blaming the other for the failed talks.

Cargolux and the union had reached an agreement on principle on 1 December, which included new pilots and aircraft in Luxembourg and implementing the Luxembourg – Zhengzhou dual hub. The union says Cargolux refused to implement essential points, and expanded its Italian subsidiary, Cargolux Italia during the collecting bargaining period.

Cargolux says: “LCGB and its members are seemingly unable to accept their responsibility for job security and growth in Luxembourg and to accept the necessity of inevitable change.”

“Cargolux cannot help but wonder about the reliability and credibility of a social partner who agrees on certain compromises, only to negate their own decisions days later.”

LCGB says in response: “The more than a year ongoing collective bargaining at Cargolux today failed ultimately because the agreements in principles reached early last week have not been implemented in essential points by the Directorate in the relevant treaty text.”

Cargolux says following LCGB refusing to continue negotiations, management, the Confederation Luxembourgeoise des Syndicats Chretiens (CLSC) and Onofhangege Gewerkschaftsbond Letzebuerg (OGB-L) unions will secure what the airline calls: “significant achievements negotiated during the past 15 months and confirm their intention to sign a new CWA this week.”

Cargolux says: “Cargolux regrets that LCGB, for its own reasons, terminated the negotiations at this late stage when an agreement was within reach. While LCGB seemingly does not care about the negative implications of their decision on all Cargolux employees together with the impact on the economic interests of the Grand Duchy, management, OGB-L and CLSC clearly do.”