Member Mail 16 / 2020

  • Review of the Anniversary General Meeting
  • Swiss: Negotiations
  • Swissport Geneva: CLA Negotiations
  • Calendar Campaign

Dear Colleagues

Our anniversary general meeting last week was a sweet ray of hope in the seemingly endless tunnel of the Covid-19 crisis.

But the second wave of the pandemic hit us hard – despite airplanes already being on the ground. The challenging negotiations that are currently under way confirm the severity of the second wave.

Review of the Anniversary General Meeting 
Our anniversary general meeting took place on 23 October 2020 at the Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg. In strict compliance with protective measures, SEV-GATA held its 20th general meeting with extended agenda items. All requests were accepted unanimously. For the period from 2021 until 2024, all previous mandate holders were confirmed:

SEV-GATA Executive Committee:
Thomas Blum, Andreas Breker, Dominik Fischer, Bert Füller, Res Marti and myself as President.

SEV-GATA Business Audit Commission:
Daniela Fischer, Erich Stauber, Hansjörg Dutler (replacement)

I would like to seize this opportunity to thank you very much for your trust in our executive committee, as well as for the good cooperation within the executive and your great commitment. I would also like to thank our trusted representatives and especially those SEV employees who are part of the SEV aviation team. You can find information on our executive committee, SEV employees and trusted representatives with pictures at www.sev-gata.ch.

Swiss: Negotiations 
After the discussion with CEO Klühr, CFO Binkert and HR Manager Trelle, which we had requested, we resumed our negotiations with Swiss at the beginning of this week.

In order to reduce personnel costs by 15 - 20%, Swiss put temporary CLA adjustments in the following areas up for discussion: In addition to fluctuation (not restaffing vacancies) and (early) retirement, Swiss sees possible savings measures in the pension fund (risk contributions, contribution split, lowering of contributions), lowering performance premiums, allowance reductions, 13th monthly wages, downsizing, base wage reductions – they have presented an entire arsenal of measures.

We have made our framework conditions for possible savings contributions very clear:

  1. Extension of the CLA validity (by 3 years)
  2. Measures must be of temporary nature only: from the expiry of short-time work allowances until the "ramp up," but no longer than 12 months
  3. no terminations for economic reasons by Swiss as long as austerity measures are in effect
  4. Quarterly reportings on effects, savings, situation, etc.
  5. Pay Back Modalities

At the same time, we were unwilling to agree to the confidentiality requested by Swiss, which would have forced us to withhold information from our members. Further negotiation dates have been arranged. We will keep you informed!

Swissport Geneva: No Contract 
There has been no contract since 1 October, negotiations are blocked and Swissport Geneva refuses to implement the recommendations of the mediation office. An intervention at Swissport International is in preparation. In addition, appropriate combat measures are being prepared with those affected.

Calendar Campaign 
Due to Covid, this year's calendar campaign will be a little different. Our presence on site is planned as follows:

  • Geneva Airport: Tuesday, 17 November 2020
  • Zurich SWISSPORT: Tuesday, 24 November 2020
  • Zurich SWISS: Wednesday, 9 December 2020
  • Basel SWISS: Wednesday, 9 December 2020

After the next negotiation date on 10 November 2020, there will also be news about the negotiations with Swissport Zurich.

The situation in aviation is still precarious. As a trade union in particular, we have had a decisive impact on the fact that extended short-time working allowances can be claimed and an aid package has been put together for aviation. We will continue to campaign for further support measures to safeguard jobs in this systemically relevant industry. Should "disproportionate bonus payments" to the managers be confirmed during this time, this will influence the course of the negotiations. We demand to be informed if this should happen.

As a member of SEV-GATA, you will always be up-to-date. We care about your opinion. Our goal is to secure your job with decent working conditions. Your membership is our motivation. Are your colleagues not part of the movement of the largest transport workers' union in Switzerland yet? Become a member now (Link) – with protection for protection. Thank you for your trust.

Kind regards,

Philipp Hadorn, President

SEV-GATA, your union in the aviation industry!

Philipp Hadorn, President GATA: SEV Aviation
/ www.sev-gata.ch / www.sev-online.ch