Negotiations between Villeroy & Boch management and union representatives had already started at the end of April, but it was only on 12 May that the first concrete results of those talks were announced. Importantly, Villeroy & Boch says it will honour its promise not to make any forced redundancies before 2010, but a series of other measures will be implemented to maintain efficient production until at least the end of this year. The company has announced, for example, that production line No.24 will no longer be active on Saturdays. In addition, overtime has been reduced although workers will receive a monthly “motivation supplement” of 150 euros – dependent on results.

Cross-border protest

The Ministry of Employment has also agreed to grant its so-called “aide au reemploi” to all Villeroy & Boch personnel in 2009, thus making them more attractive to potential employers. An internal “cellule de reclassement” will also assist workers in finding new employment and they will be granted an extra six days of leave to allow them to attend interviews and training courses. The company has also announced that the scheduled collective holidays, incorporating so-called “bridges” on 22 May and 22 June, three weeks in the summer and a week after Christmas, will be honoured.

But the progress made in negotiations has not totally placated the unions. Both the LCGB and the OGBL sent representatives to stage a protest outside Villeroy & Boch plants in Mettlach and Merzig across the German border today, 15 May.