Cluster: Archive

Swiss Life bosses face calls to resign

This content was published on Nov 4, 2002 Swiss media and politicians have called for heads to roll following the disclosure of two huge accounting errors and a secretive investment vehicle for top managers. Swiss Life revealed on Friday that six top managers made millions by investing in Long Term Strategy AG (LTS), a three-year-old company with close ties to the insurer. Its…

Builders down tools in biggest strike for 50 years

This content was published on Nov 4, 2002 Around 15,500 workers protested in favour of lowering the retirement age to 60. The employers described the strike as illegal. “This has exceeded our expectations,” said Vasco Pedrina, president of the construction workers’ union, who earlier told swissinfo that the strike was the biggest strike by construction workers since 1947. Participation in the one-day stoppage…

Hotel rolls out red carpet for staff

This content was published on Nov 3, 2002 A look behind the scenes at the Park Hotel Weggis reveals that the effort has begun paying dividends. After a busy lunch in the main hotel restaurant, Sequoia, sous chef Marcel Ringelstein begins cleaning up the kitchen and preparing for the evening. He says it is a great place to work, and is proud of…

Weak growth poses biggest challenge

This content was published on Nov 2, 2002 In an interview with swissinfo’s Robert Brookes, Wuffli also outlined his strategy at UBS and explained his position on banking secrecy and corporate governance. Wuffli, 45, told swissinfo that growth had to be achieved in terms of productivity, innovation and increasing competitiveness. He also believes Switzerland will continue to enjoy a “very substantial edge” as…

ABB plan aims to limit damage

This content was published on Nov 1, 2002 ABB’s proposals include bankruptcy protection for its US subsidiary Combustion Engineering (CE) by reorganising CE under Chapter 11 of the US bankruptcy code. The group hopes to limit its asbestos payments to SFr1.7 billion ($1.1 billion), which is much less than analysts had feared. “We are very confident that we will make progress to get…

Builders’ dispute threatens 50 years of industrial peace

This content was published on Nov 1, 2002 The dispute comes at a time of simmering industrial unrest, with postal workers and public sector employees also at loggerheads with management. Over the weekend, employers will hold talks with construction unions in a bid to head off Monday’s strike, which is part of a campaign to lower the retirement age for builders. “This strike…

Zurich Cantonal Bank spreads its wings

This content was published on Nov 1, 2002 However, the bank’s strategy also includes increased asset management activities, which critics argue will increase its risks considerably. The bank says the move is aimed at boosting income and cementing its position in Switzerland behind UBS and Credit Suisse. But at a media presentation in Zurich, the bank’s president Hans Vögeli said that cooperation with…

Swiss learn lessons from the Finns

This content was published on Nov 1, 2002 Secretary of state for economic affairs David Syz said Switzerland had learnt a great deal about the transfer of innovation and know-how to the economy. Syz told swissinfo Finland owed much of its success to the fact that its economy had developed “in a very organic way” over the past two decades. Different economic bodies…

UBS hives off hospital group

This content was published on Nov 1, 2002 Hirslanden runs 12 private clinics across Switzerland with 3,000 staff and has a reputation for first-class health care. Around a quarter of all heart operations carried out in Switzerland take place in Hirslanden clinics. The bank named the buyer as Britain’s BC Partners, which owns the General Healthcare Group, which in turn runs the largest…

Swiss tradition kills the goose that…

This content was published on Nov 1, 2002 On November 11, a select group of blindfolded and sword wielding individuals watched by a large gathering of onlookers take turns trying to “Behead the Goose”. The bizarre ritual begins at 3pm in the town centre when a slaughtered goose is brought to a wooden stage in front of the town hall, where it’s strung…

Cluster: Archive

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Swiss Life bosses face calls to resign

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Builders down tools in biggest strike for 50 years

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Hotel rolls out red carpet for staff

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Weak growth poses biggest challenge

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ABB plan aims to limit damage

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Builders’ dispute threatens 50 years of industrial peace

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Zurich Cantonal Bank spreads its wings

More

Swiss learn lessons from the Finns

More

UBS hives off hospital group

More

Swiss tradition kills the goose that…

Popular Stories

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