French bank BNP Paribas is continuing to block entry of Swissmetal workers to one of the cash-strapped company’s two production sites in western Switzerland.
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swissinfo.ch and agencies
The decision by the bank, Swissmetal’s principal mortgage holder, not to reopen the plant in Dornach prompted demonstrations on Monday by some 70 employees at a branch of the bank in Basel.
Swissmetal and the lending institution are still negotiating a deal that would enable the employees to return to work at the Dornach plant. BNP Paribas allowed a second plant in Reconvilier to reopen on Monday.
A resumption of work at both factories is a key condition set by French company Le Bronze in its offer to take over Swissmetal’s Swiss operations.
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Metal producer to cut jobs
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The metallurgic group blamed serious liquidity problems in announcing the planned closure of the raw materials depot in Dornach. Another facility in Reconvilier will continue operating. Swissmetal’s German factory will not be affected. Production was suspended at Dornach and staff sent home on Thursday. Management will be holding talks with unions to discuss the cuts,…
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Swiss workers are still much more reluctant to down tools than their counterparts in neighbouring countries. But a long-running strike in 2006 highlights a recent change in industrial relations. Figures from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) show a marked increase in strike action in the first five years of this decade compared with…
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The company said the month-long industrial action earlier this year had resulted in a 30 per cent drop in customers. Mediation talks between Swissmetal and union and employee representatives are ongoing as both sides seek to resolve the dispute over the future of the site. The strike, which was halted on February 23, was called…
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Recycle Art creates magnificent figures using scrap metal salvaged from the junk yard. Dozens of sculptures are on display at the showroom in canton Aargau. (Images: Susan Vogel-Misicka, swissinfo.ch)
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