ALEBA Reflects on Progress of New Collective Banking Agreement

Luxembourg financial trade union ALEBA has made the claim that negotiations on the new Collective Banking Agreement were being undermined by a “lack of loyalty” from the OGBL.

ALEBA took note of the communication of the OGBL union of Monday 7 May 2008, relating to the ongoing negotiations of the new Collective Banking Agreement. "What we deplore above all,” commented Secretary General Laurent Mertz, “is the lack of loyalty, which puts the negotiations in real danger. At the level of the common trade union front there was indeed, on paper, a consensus on the discretion to be kept at the level of the content of the discussions, and it is really very disappointing that, for reasons probably only and purely electoral, the OGBL did not keep its promise. Discussions are technical, vast, complex, and flaunting is useless at this stage.”

On the merits of negotiations, ALEBA did not wish to comment on the information published by the socialist union. However, most unions of the financial sector wanted to clarify that although the initial common claims are indeed not always completely satisfied, the ABBL was able to change its mind on certain points, understanding and aligning, even partially, on several legitimate union requests.

ALEBA has also recalled that negotiations are a "whole", and that while some points are still under discussion and that convergences remain to be found, other new elements, particularly in terms of remuneration, represent a real opportunity for employees in the sector.

With regard to working time, training or even welfare, ALEBA has expressed regret that the lack of knowledge of the reality of employees of the financial sector could lead the Central Socialist Trade Union to misunderstand current issues, and to limit itself to past positions.

For ALEBA, therefore, it remains obvious that the ABBL still has to think about several blocking elements, and this is also a reason for the prolongation of the discussions. These alternative proposals have yet to be put on the table by the employers' association as soon as possible, since the period of payment of the June Premium is announced.

Finally, ALEBA noted that each trade union organisation will be, at a given moment, faced with its responsibilities, that is, free to support, or not, the new Collective Banking Agreement.