Tarkett GDL to Lay Off 126 Employees in Clervaux, Shocking Unions

Tarkett GDL, a flooring company located in Clervaux, Luxembourg, plans to lay off 126 employees, which is more than 20% of its workforce in the country. The announcement has shocked the major trade unions OGBL and LCGB, who were caught off guard by the decision.

The OGBL trade union was informed of the company's plans in a letter from a lawyer, which the union representative described as "absolutely incomprehensible." The union is particularly shocked by the layoffs as Tarkett had recently extended a job retention plan to safeguard around 500 posts.

The 126 job cuts will affect the production site in Lentzweiler, just outside of Clervaux, where Tarkett currently employs 562 people. The unions believe the decision was made at the company's headquarters in Paris without involving the Luxembourg employees.

Why this matters: The significant layoffs at Tarkett GDL emphasize the ongoing challenges and uncertainties faced by workers in the current economic climate. The decision's impact on the local community and the affected employees' livelihoods highlights the need for transparent communication and collaboration between companies and unions to mitigate job losses.

The OGBL and LCGB have expressed their shock and stated that they will do everything in their power to prevent these job losses. The unions have requested an emergency meeting with Labour Minister Georges Mischo before attending the initial discussion with Tarkett's management scheduled for April 29, 2024.

Key Takeaways

• Tarkett GDL, a Luxembourg flooring company, plans to lay off 126 employees (>20% of workforce).
• The decision has shocked major trade unions OGBL and LCGB, who were unaware of the layoffs.
• The job cuts will affect the production site in Lentzweiler, where Tarkett employs 562 people.
• Unions believe the decision was made at the company's Paris headquarters without involving Luxembourg staff.
• Unions have requested an emergency meeting with the Labour Minister to prevent the job losses.