Switzerland -Strong Franc initiates union action -February 06, 2015

The trade union confederation SGB/USS has spoken out against some firms’ plans to pay cross border workers in euros or extend working hours. The rapid rise in the franc’s value threatens worsen industrial relations. The SGB/USS reported of 40 companies planning to take similar measures that would adversely affect staff. Workers are threatened with layoffs and outsourcing to pressure them into accepting wage cuts, payment in euros and longer working hours. For instance, dental implant specialist Straumann asked employees to take pay cuts and asked those who live outside of Switzerland to accept payment in euros. Technology firm Bühler reported that it had reached an agreement with workers to extend working hours to 45 hours per week for the next seven months.

For more information, please contact the editor Jan Cremers, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies (AIAS) cbn-aias@uva.nl or the communications officer at the ETUI, Mariya Nikolova mnikolova@etui.org. For previous issues of the Collective bargaining newsletter please visit http://www.etui.org/E-Newsletters/Collective-bargaining-newsletter. You may find further information on the ETUI at www.etui.org, and on the AIAS at www.uva-aias.net.