Swiss Post bosses fight back
Swiss Post has made an official complaint following a strike by workers that blocked four sorting offices on Thursday morning.
It accused unions of breaking the terms of a collective labour agreement by their industrial action.
Around 200 postal workers took part in Thursday’s protest action, which lasted for about five hours.
Union leaders say it is Swiss Post that is not respecting the new collective labour contract. Workers went on strike after talks between the two sides broke down earlier this week.
Committee
Swiss Post bosses have asked the independent Conciliation Committee to examine the behaviour of the union during the strike, saying it was in breach of this same collective labour contract.
The committee will start its investigation in ten days’ time. A decision should be taken in the next few weeks, said a Swiss Post spokesman.
But Ulrich Gygi, head of Swiss Post, insisted that despite the complaint, management was still ready for dialogue.
He rejected claims that Swiss Post was planning to cut salaries, breaching the new working agreement.
Deadlock
Thursday morning’s protests came after Communications Minister Moritz Leuenberger failed to break the deadlock during a series of meetings on Tuesday.
Leuenberger held separate talks with Communication Union president, Christian Levrat, and Ulrich Gygi.
He reminded both parties of the terms of the collective labour contract, agreed in June, which foresees the setting up of a conciliation committee and a ban on industrial action.
The Communication Union claims management plans to set up independent subsidiaries would see the salaries of around 270 staff reduced by 20 per cent, breaching the new working agreement.
Two weeks ago union leaders threatened to consider all-out strikes during the peak Christmas season.
swissinfo with agencies
Swiss Post and the Communication Union agreed on a new collective labour contract in June.
Management announced plans last month to create independent subsidiaries affecting hundreds of staff. Union say the move will lead to pay cuts for those concerned.
An attempt on Tuesday by the communications minister, Moritz Leuenberger, to end the deadlock failed.
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