Auer to receive payoff package
A controversial former government official looks set to win a SFr267,000 ($233,698) payoff after winning an appeal.
André Auer was forced to step down as head of Switzerland’s Federal Office for Civil Aviation (Foca) last year.
An appeals panel for federal employees has ruled that Auer be paid SFr267,000, after 28 years in the service of the Swiss government.
The board also ruled that the transport ministry had good reasons to sack him, but it cleared Auer of any blame.
“Considering the new circumstances [in August 2003] he was no longer the right person to head up the federal office,” a statement said on Friday.
Auer, who was criticised for failing to arrest a decline in aviation safety standards and regulations, had demanded a severance payment to the tune of twice his annual salary.
Reaction
Auer said he was satisfied with the decision by the appeals panel on Wednesday.
The transport ministry said it would examine whether to take the case to the Federal Court.
The ministry, along with a parliamentary committee, wanted to deny Auer any severance payment.
Last month Auer took up a new position as head of Europe’s Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) in the Netherlands.
swissinfo with agencies
Auer was suspended from his post as head of the Federal Office for Civil Aviation (Foca) in August 2003.
His contract was formally terminated last October 2004.
In November Auer took over a the helm of Europe’s Joint Aviation Authorities in the Netherlands.
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