The downsizing strategy of the 453-strong workforce follows the merger of the Bascharage and Dudelange sites, and closure of the latter's furnace. For several weeks, the dialogue between the different parties had been at a standstill.

The management of the firm, present in Luxembourg since 1981, would not accept the hand extended by the government to use the various instruments relating to the job maintenance plan and suggested that it invest in a new, green facility. The agreement was reached after “very tough negotiations”, according to Alain Rolling, deputy central secretary of the OGBL, interviewed by Le Quotidien.

The aim will be to reduce as far as possible the number of people who will be affected by the future redundancy plan, which Guardian's management hopes to see on 1 October. Between now and then, the parties will have to find solutions for them, including early retirement, retraining and reassignment within the company, or partial unemployment. The agreement has yet to be approved by the Ministry of Labor and Employment.