At Luxexpo this weekend, on the occasion of the OGBL's ninth ordinary national congress, president made a strong appeal for unity and collective action to defend workers' rights and the Luxembourg social model in the face of current challenges. "The congress takes place every five years and is always a time to prepare for the future and reposition ourselves in the face of the challenges. But I have to say that this congress is being held at as uncertain a time as we have seen in decades," she stated.

She stressed the importance of unity within the trade union movement, with a nod to the LCGB, with whom the OGBL is putting up a united front to defend major issues. "There is no other choice than the trade union front. I'm convinced of that. The trade union front is what frightens our opponents in management and politics - and that is precisely what shows that it is the only right way forward. In the interests of workers, pensioners and their families, our gains and our future, we will no longer allow ourselves to be divided! The trade union front is all the more important if we consider what is happening in the world. Just one year ago, in March 2024, during the social elections, we were the main competitors, today we are friends", insisted the woman who was re-elected by a near absolute majority.

In her speech, the President was critical of the government's policies. She reiterated the union's attachment to the Luxembourg model and its pillars such as wage indexation, the minimum wage and collective agreements. "At national level, we are faced with a radical change of political direction. A cold wind is blowing against the rights and gains of people who have to work for their wages. Attacks on our wages, our collective agreements, our pensions. With a government that wants to implement to the letter what the bosses dictate," she emphasised.

A joint resolution with the LCGB

A joint emergency resolution with the LCGB was adopted on a "common trade union front to defend the rights and social achievements of employees and pensioners". "Faced with an unprecedented challenge to our social state, the fruit of tripartite social dialogue, as well as to our social model, the guarantor of social peace in Luxembourg, the LCGB and OGBL unions are going to structure and coordinate their trade union actions to lead a common front. The stated aim of this common front is to prevent by all necessary means the social gains for which the unions have fought and worked for a century from being wiped out by a government policy that can only be described as retrograde" is mentioned in the resolution.

On the European context, the union president warned of the need to build a "social wall" against the far right, whose rise is fuelled by social inequality and job insecurity. "Social deprivation, lack of prospects and fear of social downgrading have been and continue to be the driving force behind the far right. There is also a direct correlation between the dismantling of public services and the structural weakening of entire regions and the rise of the far right", believes Back.

For the future, the OGBL is determined not to give up. "We have to adapt. Rethink. Set priorities. Work together. Modernise further. Being up to speed also means taking paths that would have been unthinkable a year ago". Through the voice of Nora Back, the OGBL recognises the need to adapt to future challenges, such as the digitalisation of work and the climate crisis. "This means rethinking priorities, modernising the organisation and developing new approaches, including in the field of employment law", Back insisted. She added, "Improving working conditions, protecting workers' health in the face of psychosocial risks and reducing working hours with full pay compensation are all part of these necessary adaptations.”

For the future, the OGBL is determined not to give up. "We have to adapt. Rethink. Set priorities. Work together. Modernise further. Being up to speed also means taking paths that would have been unthinkable a year ago". Through the voice of Nora Back, the OGBL recognises the need to adapt to future challenges, such as the digitalisation of work and the climate crisis. "This means rethinking priorities, modernising the organisation and developing new approaches, including in the field of employment law", Back insisted. She added, "Improving working conditions, protecting workers' health in the face of psychosocial risks and reducing working hours with full pay compensation are all part of these necessary adaptations.”

This article was originally published in .