Workplace Switzerland

Union presses for more action on wage equality

This content was published on Jun 13, 2000 The secretary-general of the union, Natalie Imboden, said that although written into law the rules on equal wages were often not respected. For this reason, she said, her organisation wanted to start a fresh political debate on the issue. Imboden added that wage discrimination was stronger in the private sector, but warned that in the…

Trade unions attack pension reforms

This content was published on May 15, 2000 Serge Gaillard, secretary-general of the federation, said on Monday the financial situation of the pension scheme had been over-dramatised in order to cut back payments and weaken the scheme as a whole. He said that, in particular, the proposed measures do not take into account the still huge differences in salaries paid to men and…

Trade Union’s May Day call for minimum wage

This content was published on Apr 29, 2000 The Swiss Trades Union Federation is using May Day to renew its call for a minimum salary of SFr3,000. The federation president, Paul Rechsteiner (pictured), said hundreds of thousands of workers are at the lower end of the salary scale and are suffering. “About one in eight salaries is below the SFr3,000 level. That means…

UN report says problems of ageing population exaggerated

This content was published on Apr 27, 2000 The Geneva-based United Nations labour agency has published a book detailing the state of the world’s social security and pensions systems. It outlines how western countries should deal with their ageing populations, although its authors suggests the problem is exaggerated. The timing of the report, ‘Social Security Pensions – Development and Reform’, is important, coming…

New measures aim to improve building site safety

This content was published on Mar 29, 2000 The government has announced measures aimed at increasing safety on building sites. The announcement comes one month after the Swiss Construction Workers Union released figures suggesting that one-in-four workers fall victim to an accident on a building site. The new legislation, which is due to come into effect in July, replaces regulations in force since…

Construction workers vote to accept pay deal

This content was published on Mar 25, 2000 The Swiss construction workers’ union has voted to accept a compromise deal, officially ending a long- standing pay dispute in the country’s building industry. The endorsement came after the employer’s association gave the settlement its blessing on Wednesday. The negotiations were marked by a rare government intervention in a country where industrial disputes are themselves…

Trade Union chief issues warning about effects of wage dispute

This content was published on Mar 10, 2000 The head of the Swiss Trade Union Federation, Paul Rechsteiner (pictured) has warned that the wage dispute within the construction industry is a test of credibility for the measures accompanying Switzerland’s bilateral agreements with the European Union. At a news conference in Berne, the Federation warned that if the wage dispute were not settled, it…

Swiss workers stage rare strike in Basel

This content was published on Mar 8, 2000 A strike at the private central laundry in Basel has stopped operations for the day. Unions hindered people from starting work at the Zeba company from the early hours. All entrances were blocked, with management and those employees willing to work unable to gain access. The one-day warning strike is in protest at a planned…

Union leaders say Vaud strike was a success

This content was published on Feb 4, 2000 Union leaders in canton Vaud say a strike by public sector workers has been a success. Thousands of public employees took to the streets on Thursday to protest measures they say will lead to the dismantling and erosion of local services. Hospitals, schools and other services were badly disrupted by the day of strike action,…

Strike by public service workers underway in Vaud

This content was published on Feb 3, 2000 Public service workers have gone on strike in canton Vaud in protest at the local government’s proposed cutbacks in social services. Reports say the strike is being widely followed by members of the two unions involved. Hospitals, schools, public services and prisons were expected to be hit by the one-day action. A picket has been…

Workplace Switzerland

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Workplace Switzerland

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Union presses for more action on wage equality

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Trade unions attack pension reforms

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Trade Union’s May Day call for minimum wage

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UN report says problems of ageing population exaggerated

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New measures aim to improve building site safety

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Construction workers vote to accept pay deal

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Trade Union chief issues warning about effects of wage dispute

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Swiss workers stage rare strike in Basel

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Union leaders say Vaud strike was a success

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Strike by public service workers underway in Vaud

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