Workplace Switzerland

Construction workers stage mass strike

This content was published on Nov 25, 2011 Union officials said that around 7,000 people all over Switzerland, including in Geneva, Lausanne, the capital Bern and Zurich had joined the strike. Negotiations between Swiss Contractors Association and workers for a new national labour agreement broke down earlier this month after nine months of deliberations. The current agreement is due to expire on January…

Centenary of “stabilising” labour accords marked

This content was published on Nov 24, 2011 Around 200 people gathered for a conference on Thursday in Bern. Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Amman was also on hand. Union heads said the contracts promoted peace in the workplace and stability in Switzerland. However Syna called on bosses not to reduce salaries even if economic conditions are gloomy. The employers’ association noted that there…

Strong franc claims more jobs in paper industry

This content was published on Nov 21, 2011 The Zug-based group announced on Monday that 212 of 312 full time jobs would go from the start of 2012 and raw paper production would be phased out by the end of 2013. Future activities will focus on producing specialised paper that result in higher profit margins. The group will also move production more to…

Unions pressure Fifa on Qatar workers’ rights

This content was published on Nov 17, 2011 Switzerland’s largest trade union, Unia, joined forces with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to petition Fifa General Secretary Jerome Valcke on Thursday about labour rights in Qatar. If their concerns were not taken seriously, the unions threatened Fifa with an international campaign against Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 event. “Migrant workers in Qatar have no labour…

Geneva hospital lodges complaint against strikers

This content was published on Nov 16, 2011 In a statement on Tuesday, the hospital management said it had taken the step because of three serious cases in the maternity ward. Due to the strike – now in its sixth day – urgent laboratory test results were not delivered on time. The hospital director, Bernard Gruson, told Swiss-French television that technicians refusing to…

UCB biotech expansion brightens pharma gloom

This content was published on Nov 14, 2011 Once operational in 2015, the huge new factory in Bulle will become UCB’s main production centre for Cimzia, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. This positive news bucks a recent trend of job loss and restructuring announcements in the Swiss pharmaceutical sector. “This new unit will be one of the largest in Europe and when finished…

Demonstrators angered by Novartis job cuts

This content was published on Nov 12, 2011 Last month, the Basel-based pharmaceutical giant announced it would cut 2,000 jobs, with slightly more than half to be shed at operations in Switzerland. Demonstrators carried banners with slogans like, “a wounded region is ready to fight”. If Novartis goes ahead with the plan, more than 300 jobs would be lost at the Nyon plant,…

Job cuts prompt economic soul-searching

This content was published on Nov 11, 2011 The government expects to start dipping into its SFr500 million ($550 million) unemployment benefit fund by the end of the year. Meanwhile, export businesses and trade unions are pressuring the central bank to again intervene against the strong Swiss franc – a move economists say would be a big mistake. Since September, barely a week…

Strong franc claims jobs at Bobst manufacturer

This content was published on Nov 8, 2011 The company will axe 420 jobs by the middle of 2013 from its sites in Lausanne, according to a statement issued on Tuesday. The losses are expected to be channeled through the suspension of short-term contracts, early retirements and natural wastage. It expects to make SFr77 million ($85.4 million) in savings this year and another…

Employers and workers face difficult times

This content was published on Nov 7, 2011 A statement issued by the Employers’ Association on Monday says employers should be able to increase working hours and reduce wages. It should also be possible “in certain exceptional cases” to pay cross-border workers in euros. The head of the association, Valentin Vogt, told journalists that if the franc remains at its current level against…

Workplace Switzerland

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Workplace Switzerland

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Construction workers stage mass strike

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Centenary of “stabilising” labour accords marked

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Strong franc claims more jobs in paper industry

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Unions pressure Fifa on Qatar workers’ rights

More

Geneva hospital lodges complaint against strikers

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UCB biotech expansion brightens pharma gloom

More

Demonstrators angered by Novartis job cuts

More

Job cuts prompt economic soul-searching

More

Strong franc claims jobs at Bobst manufacturer

More

Employers and workers face difficult times

Popular Stories

Most Discussed