On 07 October 2020 the third meeting between Unions, Luxair, Cargolux, Luxairport and government representatives, referred to as “Tripartite pour le secteur de l ´aviation” took place. In this meeting the various measures discussed by the social partners within the Luxair working group were analysed. Following constructive discussions, a principle agreement could be reached addressing the situation at Luxair.
The analyses revealed a significant surplus of 600 employees or 20% of Luxair’s current staff. The principle agreement reached will allow approximately half of the affected staff to leave Luxair through one of the available early retirement schemes. The other half should be transferred and requalified within Luxair or transferred to other companies either on a permanent or temporary contract basis. Additionally, the principle agreement provides the remaining staff at Luxair with a job guarantee for the duration of the agreement, which prevents job retrenchments due to economic reasons.
The Tripartite parties further agreed that the Luxair Collective Work Agreement (CWA), which would expire at the end of this year, forms an integral part of the agreement reached by the Tripartite and that it will be renewed until the end of 2023. This extension of the Luxair CWA will cover all achievements, except for the annual time unit increases, which will be suspended for the duration of three years, unless the economic situation of Luxair returns to normal levels at an earlier stage.
The details of the final agreement still have to be worked out and will be presented to the various union bodies for validation, before the final agreement could be signed at the next meeting of the Tripartite, which is presently scheduled for 9 November 2020.
In respect to Cargolux, there is a common understanding, that Cargolux´ present situation is different as the company is not negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We do appreciate the clear statement of the Cargolux CEO in the Tripartite meeting on 17 September 2020, that Cargolux is willing to be part of the solution for the Luxembourg aviation sector but not at the expense of the viability of Cargolux.
It is our position, which we clearly communicated to Cargolux Senior Management, that Luxair pilots who may become either permanently or temporary redundant, should be considered by Cargolux to fill open pilot positions. The examples of those colleagues of Lufthansa Cityline or Air Berlin, who joined Cargolux on fixed-term contracts, show what is possible and what did work in the past for the benefit of all involved; the airlines and the pilots. To avoid any doubt, the ALPL Divisional Boards of Cargolux and Luxair agree, that such transfers can only be done respecting all provisions of the Cargolux CWA.
Available social instruments such as early retirement schemes would certainly help in creating open positions for those Luxair staff members who would have to be transferred to other companies. In the last Tripartite meeting, it was acknowledged by the Minister of Labour, that amendments to existing early retirement schemes are needed. Both Unions clearly indicated that they are interested to discuss the required amendments.
