Internal: Archive

Flight delays continue after pilot strike

This content was published on Sep 26, 2006 Swiss International Air Lines said it intends to claim damages from the Swiss Pilots Association (SPA) for the work stoppage which analysts say damaged the airline’s image. “The strike has led to some reorganisation that was not foreseeable yesterday,” airline spokesman, Jean-Claude Donzel, said about Wednesday’s additional cancellations. “In a few cases the crew wasn’t…

SIG invites buyers to look at its packaging

This content was published on Sep 25, 2006 The company’s move follows rejection of a SFr2.28 billion ($1.85 billion) takeover bid from Norway’s Elopak company and CVC Capital Partners. At the stock exchange in Zurich SIG shares closed the day at SFr345.50, a 13.19 per cent increase over Friday’s close. A statement from SIG headquarters just outside Schaffhausen said the board of directors…

Geo radar

This content was published on Sep 24, 2006

Pension rescue plan dumped by voters

This content was published on Sep 24, 2006 Opponents said the outcome confirmed that the public supported the independence of both the national bank and the cantons in financial matters. Only three of the 26 cantons decided in favour of the proposal with nearly 60 per cent of voters around the country dismissing it at the ballot box. Voters displayed “tremendous political maturity”…

Unions launch wage demand demonstration

This content was published on Sep 23, 2006 The Swiss Federation of Trade Unions said the demand is justified in the light of an upswing in Switzerland’s economy and recently inflated salaries awarded to “fat cat” bosses. Executives of several top Swiss companies came under fire earlier this year after receiving generous pay increases far above the average salary hikes. Saturday’s demonstration, under…

Swiss bureaucrats lured abroad

This content was published on Sep 23, 2006 After several years trying to interest Swiss graduates in international posts, the foreign ministry is slowly starting to see the fruits of its labours. There is currently an imbalance between the amount Switzerland pays to international organisations and the number of Swiss staff. Some 750 Swiss nationals work for 120 international organisations worldwide – or…

Competition watchdog hounded over “interests”

This content was published on Sep 22, 2006 Walter Stoffel, Comco’s president, acknowledged to swissinfo that the body lacked credibility and needed to be looked at, but said there were strict rules in place to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Concerns over the composition of Comco have circulated for several years but were thrust into the spotlight earlier this year by the Organisation…

Merck deal safeguards Serono’s “Swissness”

This content was published on Sep 21, 2006 The Bertarelli family reportedly dropped negotiations with other suitors when Serono was up for sale earlier this year before deciding to sell its majority 64.5 per cent stake on Thursday. The ailing company hired Goldman Sachs to find a buyer last December only to announce surprisingly four months later that it was looking to expand…

Serono sells majority share to Merck

This content was published on Sep 21, 2006 The deal values the Swiss firm at SFr16.1 billion ($12.9 billion) and gives Merck 75.5 per cent of voting rights in Serono. The new company will be called Merck-Serono and will continue to have its headquarters in Geneva. The United States base will remain in Boston. Based on 2005 figures, the new company will have…

Government set to review duty-free rules

This content was published on Sep 21, 2006 The government, which rejected similar calls for a change to the customs law two years ago, is due to decide on the issue later this month. Undaunted by their previous setback, those in favour of introducing “arrival duty-free” in Switzerland believe they have a better chance second time around. Lobbying by Aerosuisse, the airline industry’s…

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Flight delays continue after pilot strike

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SIG invites buyers to look at its packaging

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Geo radar

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Pension rescue plan dumped by voters

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Unions launch wage demand demonstration

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Swiss bureaucrats lured abroad

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Competition watchdog hounded over “interests”

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Merck deal safeguards Serono’s “Swissness”

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Serono sells majority share to Merck

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Government set to review duty-free rules

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