Luxembourg trade union the OGBL tweeted on Wednesday morning that it and transport union the FNCTTFEL had been given no choice but to leave the negotiating table.

It appealed to the state and Luxembourg City to “accept their responsibilities”.

A FNCTTFEL press release published on Monday explained the unions wanted the tram system, the first section of which opened in Kirchberg in December 2017, to develop in such a way as to make it more safe and attractive for passengers. “To do this, the new tramway must have enough well-trained and motivated staff,” the statement read. “However, working conditions of tram staff are not in keeping with a modern public transport company. The currently recruitment difficulties are evidence of this.”

The union decried the fact that rest periods between shifts were as little as 11 hours with shifts lasting up to 13 hours. This, it said, was “incompatible with the security demands imposed on a tramway, above all if staff have long journeys to get to work.”