The union of social workers is frustrated that their seniority is not being recognised and threatens with strike. screenshot of SLEG campaign poster

The union of social workers is frustrated that their seniority is not being recognised and threatens with strike. screenshot of SLEG campaign poster

These qualified social workers who have a Bachelor degree (éducateurs gradués) often work with children, teenagers or adults to help them become autonomous and integrate in society.

The graduate social workers syndicate, SLEG, which is affiliated to the public service confederation (CGFP), heavily criticised the state for not recognising their length of public service. According to an RTL report published on 31 October, 150 social workers gathered last Thursday at the Lënster Lycée in Junglinster to discuss the current problems in their careers.

Mario Maia, president of the syndicate, explained in an interview with RTL that if these social workers changed careers, their length of public service was not taken into account. Maia added:

“We are not happy with the new collective agreement which was enforced in 2015 because our career is not appropriately acknowledged. This means that our deserved seniority is not accordingly recognised.”

Even though the LSAP minister for public service, Dan Kersch was willing to establish a dialogue, a thorough discussion did not take place, according to Maia. Therefore, the syndicate announced their readiness to strike if no conciliation was in sight. The SLEG has even launched a poster campaign with the slogan: “All social workers are equal, but some are more equal than others”

“At the moment, it seems difficult. Dialogue is currently not established and we hope that until 6 November, it will however happen. If this isn’t the case, then there’s nothing else we can do but strike,” Maia noted.