Employers in the Swiss construction industry have turned down a compromise salary deal worked out after months of painstaking negotiations with the unions. The move could lead to an escalation of unrest in the industry.

Employers in the Swiss construction industry have turned down a compromise salary deal worked out after months of painstaking negotiations with the unions. The move could lead to an escalation of unrest in the industry.

At an extraordinary meeting, the Swiss Master Builders' Association put a new proposal on the table, namely a general salary increase of SFr80 a month for the industry's 100,000 workers.

An additional SFr30 a month would be paid on an individual basis, making a total increase of 2.33 per cent. The new offer would be paid retroactively from January 1.

A majority of the employers agreed in December to a deal including a general rise of SFr100 a month and a one-off payment of SFr300. But opponents demanded a special meeting to discuss the issue again.

The unions have refused the new offer outright.

"It is out of the question to accept this decision," said Rolf Beyeler, spokesman of the Swiss Construction and Industry Union.

The employers' refusal of the compromise now means that there will be no collective contract in the industry from April 1, and the unions are now considering stepping up protest action.

From staff and wire reports

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