Freighter workers reject ‘final offer’ to avoid industrial action

Unions have rejected Cargolux’s ‘final’ offer which entailed the resurrection of a Collective Work Agreement in return for a R125 million reduction in employee costs for the airline’s 2014 financial year, according to the Handy Shipping Guide.
Unions say the current collective bargaining agreement was unilaterally terminated on September 28 last year by the management of Cargolux and will expire on 1 September 2013.
Last week Friday (June 7) a meeting between workers’ representatives and the airline’s acting director Richard Forson and chairman Paul Helminger took place but was closed when dialogue to agree on the major points for avoidance of industrial action failed. The discussions will now go to conciliation with the compulsory appointment of a mediator to conclude a new collective agreement.
Meanwhile the company remains partially in the ownership of the Luxembourg government while a new buyer is sought to take over the shares discarded by Qatar Airways.