CARGOLUX

Employment minister Nicolas Schmit has rejected the collective agreement negotiated by management and unions at Cargolux.   The reason is that there is a dispute between the LCGB and OGBL unions over how Cargolux workers are represented  94% of OGBL members at Cargolux have rejected the agreement which has already been signed by the LCGB on behalf of its members.  The minister has ruled that despite a majority of employees, represented by the LCGB, approving the agreement, the minority represented by the OGBL effectively retain a veto.

MPK NEWSAGENTS

And MPK newsagents say they are planning to cut 30 jobs out of a workforce of 120.  The newsagent enjoys a monopoly in Luxembourg and it says the restructuring is to bring its working practices up to date.  MPK’s owners, Valora of Switzerland say their revenues from tobacco sales have declined sharply in the last decade.

LUXAIRPORT

Luxairport says passenger numbers dropped by 9% last year.  Just over 1 ½ million passengers passed through the terminal in 2009.  Although this represents a drop in comparison with 2008, it has to be remembered that 2008 was a very strong year with over 1.7 million travellers using Luxairport.  Luxairport’s management say the numbers reflect the general trend in the industry, but that the airport here has fared better than many others. 

MARKET ASSOCIATION

Stallholders at the capital’s Place Guillaume market say business is looking up.  They say they’re selling more and more to shoppers looking for fresh fruit and vegetables.  The markets are held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.  The market president, Nicki Kirsch, is hoping to expand the market and introduce stalls with a greater range of products.  But stallholders say they would like to be able to source more of their fruit and veg from Luxembourg, and have called on the government to raise awareness amongst young people about the joy of growing vegetables.

BANQUE DE LUXEMBOURG

The Banque de Luxembourg is launching a new financial service targeted exclusively at women.  14 advisors will be dedicated to recommending and developing investment products tailored to women.  Banque de Luxembourg says female investors are typically more risk averse than men, prefer transparent investment strategies and have different investment horizons.  The bank is the first here to dedicate resources to the area of womens’ banking. 

LUX AIRPORT

Unions representing airport workers say they are satisfied with the current level of dialogue with management.  Both sides onw reckon they have sorted out issues  with the level of security staffing there.  Next, unions and management will meet to discuss employees rights in 2 weeks time.