The steel giant ArcelorMittal’s activities in the grand duchy are covered by three collective agreements: ArcelorMittal Bissen, ArcelorMittal Luxembourg and ArcelorMittal Centre logistique européen (AMCLE). Negotiations for the collective agreement for ArcelorMittal Bissen are about to begin. Photo: Matic Zorman (archives)

The steel giant ArcelorMittal’s activities in the grand duchy are covered by three collective agreements: ArcelorMittal Bissen, ArcelorMittal Luxembourg and ArcelorMittal Centre logistique européen (AMCLE). Negotiations for the collective agreement for ArcelorMittal Bissen are about to begin. Photo: Matic Zorman (archives)

After nine months of negotiations, ArcelorMittal Luxembourg and labour unions have signed a new collective agreement. Of the steel giant’s three entities in Luxembourg, only ArcelorMittal Bissen has not yet reached an agreement. Negotiations are about to begin.

“This is the best collective agreement that we have been able to sign with ArcelorMittal,” says LCGB deputy general secretary Robert Fornieri. At the OGBL trade union, the central secretary for steel and mining, Stefano Araujo, states that “the agreement will improve working conditions for employees and increase their purchasing power.”

The three-year collective agreement covers the employees of ArcelorMittal Luxembourg, almost 2,100 people. Without going into detail, the three parties confirm that significant progress has been made.

However, the negotiations were difficult, and conducted in a particular climate. “It hasn’t been easy, it’s been long, but without conflict,” insists the OGBL. On the one hand, ArcelorMittal reported a net profit of $9.3bn in 2022, when the steelmaker reported . Raw materials have risen sharply as a result of the health crisis and the war in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion. This has also directly and indirectly driven up energy costs, a crucial element in the steel giant’s manufacturing process. The steelmaker has also embarked on , with the aim of becoming one of the first steelmakers to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. A strategy that requires heavy investment.

But on the other hand, (in 2022) needs to be attractive on the employment front, which is also affected by shortages and falling purchasing power due to rising inflation. And despite technological advances in the steel sector, human skills and know-how remain essential.

“Together with our employees, we will be able to meet the many challenges that lie ahead to enable ArcelorMittal in Luxembourg to build its future with decarbonised, competitive and innovative steel,” stated ArcelorMittal’s management following the signing of this collective agreement.

Negotiations will now begin on a collective agreement for ArcelorMittal Bissen. The steel giant’s activities in Luxembourg are diverse and covered by : ArcelorMittal Bissen, ArcelorMittal Luxembourg and ArcelorMittal Centre logistique européen (AMCLE). For the latter entity, which has 120 employees at the Haneboesch site, the collective agreement was signed for a period of three years.

Originally published in French by and translated for Delano.

Updated on Monday 2 October at 16:55 to correct the number of people covered by the collective agreement.

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