Trade Unions Demand Job Security and Immediate Offers for Liberty Steel Workers
Trade unions representing workers at the Liberty Steel plant in Dudelange, Luxembourg, are urging for immediate action as they await concrete offers from three potential buyers in the next two weeks. These buyers are expected to present takeover proposals that could secure jobs for the plant’s 140 staff members, who have not received their wages since September 2024.
The Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation OGBL and the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions LCGB have made it clear that job security is non-negotiable. Both unions are adamant that the future buyer must take on the 140 motivated employees, who have been eagerly waiting for production to restart after more than two and a half years of inactivity at the plant.
Financial Struggles and the Loss of Trust
The ongoing struggles at Liberty Steel have left workers feeling frustrated and betrayed. Despite repeated warnings to government authorities about the plant’s dire situation, the employees now find themselves in an uncertain future. Hubert Lacouture, a worker with over 30 years of service at the plant, voiced his disillusionment, stating, "It's hard to accept that for more than three years, problems with Liberty have been reported and communicated to every level of government, yet now we find ourselves in a more than uncertain situation." Lacouture's comments highlight the lack of meaningful government intervention or solutions.
Meanwhile, Sylviane Gambini, who has worked at Liberty Steel for an impressive 39 years, expressed her deep frustration with the prolonged absence of wages and unemployment benefits. "I am fortunate that I can rely on my husband and children for support," Gambini said, underscoring the financial and emotional toll the situation has taken on workers and their families.
The Strain of Prolonged Shutdown
For over two and a half years, production at the Liberty Steel Dudelange plant has been completely offline. The lack of operation has placed the workers in a precarious financial situation, as they were unable to receive their last paycheck in September 2024. Despite these hardships, union leaders and workers alike remain hopeful that a new owner can turn things around and provide job security and a stable income.
The unions emphasize the readiness of the plant’s workforce to return to their positions, pointing out that the employees remain highly motivated and willing to start work as soon as the company is revived. This makes it critical that the new buyer sees the value in maintaining the skilled and dedicated labor force, which is poised to resume operations as soon as production begins again.
Expectations from Potential Buyers
The trade unions are pushing for tangible offers from the potential buyers, ensuring that they will protect the workers’ rights and not allow further job losses. The unions are also demanding that the buyer guarantees that the staff will be retained and that the plant’s operations will be restarted without delay. These negotiations are crucial for the workers, who have waited long enough and are seeking not just employment, but the ability to provide for their families and feel secure in their careers once more.
In the coming weeks, the trade unions expect that the interested buyers will present detailed proposals, and the workers are hopeful that one of these offers will provide the long-awaited resolution to their ongoing struggle.
As the situation unfolds, Liberty Steel workers remain hopeful but also frustrated with the lack of urgency from both government officials and potential investors. The stakes are high, and with 140 jobs on the line, the next two weeks could determine the future of the plant and its employees.
