info 2/2009
Mitbestimmung Participation Co-determination
Inhalt
Editorial Mitbestimmung
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Sozialpartnerschaft bei Novartis Elfte Mitgliederversammlung des NAV
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Pensionskasse – Aktuelles aus dem Bereich der Vorsorge 8 NAV, für Sie aktiv Baumkrokodile und andere Tiergeschichten – aus dem Basler Zolli 10 Fotowettbewerb 2009 Thema: «Türen und Tore»
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Jahresthema 2009 – Sozialpartnerschaft Eine starke Sozialpartnerschaft braucht starke Partner 13 Teilzeitangestellte und die Überzeit, eine Gleichstellungsfrage?
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Sehenswertes aus Basel, Regio und Interregio 11. Beitrag: aus dem Elsass, Frankreich Ferrette, der alte Hauptort des Sundgaus 16 Mitglieder werben Mitglieder
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Novacomics
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Editorial Participation
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Partenariat social chez Novartis Onzième assemblée des membres de la NAV
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Caisse de pensions – Actualités dans le domaine de la prévoyance
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Concours photo 2009 Thème: «petites et grandes portes»
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NAV, active pour vous Crocodiles arboricoles et autres histoires animalières – du Zoo de Bâle 24 Thème de l’année 2009 – Partenariat social Un partenariat social fort a besoin de partenaires forts Employés à temps partiel et travail supplémentaire, une question d’équité?
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Curiosités de Bâle, régio et interrégio 11e partie: d’Alsace, France Ferrette, l’ancienne capitale du Sundgau 28
Editorial Co-determination
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Social partnership at Novartis Eleventh General Meeting of the NAV
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News related to the pension fund
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NAV, working for you Tree crocodiles and other animal stories – from Basel Zoo
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Photo competition 2009 Theme: “Doors and gates”
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Members recruit members
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Theme of the year 2009 – Social partnership A strong social partnership needs strong partners
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Part-time Staff and overtime – equal opportunities?
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Sights worth seeing in Basel, the Regio and Interregio 11th contribution: from Alsace, France Ferrette, the former capital of the Sundgau 40
Les membres parrainent des membres 30
Sämtliche Artikel finden Sie auch unter: www.nav.ch
Impressum Mitgliedschaften Angestellte Schweiz arb: Angestellten Vereinigung Region Basel Starke Region Basel Redaktionsteam Henriette Brunner, Maria Jablonowski-Becker, Ruedi Haas, Daniel Linder, Roland Hirt, Davide Lauditi, Sabine Zeller, Susanne Hänni Kontaktadresse Novartis International AG Henriette Brunner Postfach, 4002 Basel Telefon 061 324 43 43 E-Mail henriette.brunner@novartis.com Internet www.nav.ch
info Juni 2009
NAV Geschäftsstelle WRO-1225.P, Postfach, 4002 Basel Telefon 061 697 39 00 Telefax 061 697 76 73 E-Mail nav.nav@novartis.com Offizielle Adresse Novartis Angestelltenverband Mattenstrasse 51, Postfach, 4002 Basel info erscheint vierteljährlich Laufende Nr.: 46/2009 Auflage: 3700 Expl. Redaktionsschluss info 3/2009 8. August 2009 Versand info 3/2009 21. September 2009
Titelbild Mitbestimmung (Foto WoK design) Grafik/Satz cdesign, Reinach Druck Runser Druck & Satz AG, Basel Jegliche Wiedergabe von Artikeln und Bildern, auch auszugsweise, nur mit schriftlicher Genehmigung der Redaktion. La reproduction/publication d’articles et de photos ainsi que d’extraits d’articles ne peut se faire sans l’accord écrit de la rédaction. The reproduction of this publication in any form is forbidden without the expressed written consent of the Editorial Team.
Übersetzungen Inter-Translations SA, Pavillonweg 4, 3001 Bern CLS Communications AG, Elisabethenanlage 11, 4051 Basel
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Co-determination
W
hat is democracy? What are its basic elements? Switzerland is a democratically governed country. Fundamental requirements must be met for this form of government to exist. Democracy is arguably one of the most demanding forms of government, as it challenges both the administration and the people to a great extent with its often highly complex issues. Some people fundamentally question democracy or its various forms. However, it is an incontrovertible truth for many people worldwide that democracy is the best form of government. In point of fact, large majorities of the population in western industrial nations enjoy levels of personal freedom and prosperity that are rarely achieved in countries with other forms of government. In Switzerland, we have a grassroots democracy. As someone from Appenzell, I experienced clear, impressive grassroots democracy up close during my childhood through the traditional annual municipal council. At that time, women were not allowed to vote and I sometimes had to stand by and watch events somewhat uneasily, without being able to contribute to the result myself. This has made me appreciate the opportunity I now have to give my opinion a voice in ballots all the more. Unfortunately, little notice is taken of the opportunity represented by co-determination in Switzerland: average voter turnout is only 30–40%. Why is this? Aren’t people interested in co-determination? It’s a missed opportunity! And yet, democracy functions better than any other form of government. Perhaps this is because democratic constitutions grant individuals considerably more freedom than authoritarian regimes.
“It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government, except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” Winston Churchill
Good information is the most important thing in a democracy. It is therefore essential to give voters a deeper insight into the topic and win them over with arguments. With a well-founded argument, even unpopular measures that appear unattractive for the individual but are extremely sensible for the community can often be approved. For example, the 11th General Meeting of the NAV had to vote on an increase in the membership fee, which was passed by all active members present, with two abstentions. Unfortunately, despite the announcement of this important decision, only a small number of NAV members were persuaded to attend the annual general meeting. This is a real shame, as it was not just an opportunity for co-determination on various agenda items, but also a chance to ask questions and to exchange interests and experiences with other members, guests, and the Executive Committee.
Your NAV Chairperson Henriette Brunner
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Social partnership at Novartis
Generel meeting of the NAV
Working for the Associates Good networks both inside and outside the company are essential for an inhouse association that is strongly committed to social partnership. Nearly 100 NAV members and guests had an opportunity at the 11th General Meeting to see for themselves the importance of the links and commitments the NAV has outside the company, and why this is likely to remain the case in future.
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AV Chair Henriette Brunner welcomed just short of 100 members and guests to the 11th General Meeting. Disappointingly, despite important decisions looming (increased membership fees), this was another year where we were unable to persuade more active members to come. Social partnership activities last year 2008 was an intensive and challenging year for social partnership at Novartis.
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The Chair summarized the main points: – Improved social benefits for all associates. Once the company had agreed to improve child allowances and vacation benefits for CBA employees, NAV immediately demanded these improved conditions be extended to all employees with an individual employment contract. After various discussions between the social partners, these improved benefits were ultimately granted to employees with individual employment contracts too. This means
that from May 2008 and 1 January, 2009 respectively, all employees will receive increased child and education allowances and Reka checks, as well as two extra vacation days (subject to a maximum of 30 days). – Project Forward: The Chair did not go into detail on this project, as a great deal has been reported about it already. Once again she mentioned the Job Center, which proved to be a very major support for all those affected. Intensive use was made of this important hub, which operated until 31 January, 2009. Since the closure of the Job Center, its former head Elsbeth Ball has been working in the NAV office. – Novartis Pension Fund: Elections of employee trustees and substitutes. The NAV candidates excelled again and won a majority of employee representative seats on the Board. The NAV also achieved a majority of seats for substitute board members. Furthermore, the vice chair will be a NAV member of the Board of Trustees again. – Changes at the NAV office: The meeting bid an official farewell and presented flowers to Silvia Bergmann and Irène Gasser, who both served in the
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Social partnership at Novartis
NAV office for many years and decided to take early retirement at the start of 2009. A warm welcome, also with flowers, was given to the office’s new employees Elsbeth Ball and Angela Oberrieder, who have been sharing an 80% position since February 2009. Financial statements 2008 The NAV’s financial manager Stefanie Kniep presented the 2008 financial statements and gave members a clear insight into the income and expenditure of the association. Income largely comprises membership fees and the company contribution. The income from selling advertising space in our magazine info is only sufficient to cover a small portion of the translation costs incurred to keep our members informed. All income is applied for the benefit of our members. The Auditor Report for the year 2008, read out by the 1st Auditor Mr. Walter Stebler. Important networks In the last issue of info we showed at length how important it is to have an external network. Swapping experiences with employee associations in the chemicals and pharmaceuticals industry in the region, and with other industries at national level, is crucial for NAV. The umbrella organization Angestellte Schweiz is where these contacts all come together. This group represents around 26,000 employees in Switzerland and its network puts us in contact with various parliamentarians in Berne. Social partnership, politics and business are closely linked together. Treating each of these areas in isolation leads one to quickly exhaust the possibilities. Michael Lutz, regional secretary for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries at Angestellte Schweiz, gave a speech underlining how important it is for employees to be included in a nationwide network. Membership fees to rise from 2010 As we have mentioned on several occasions, the transitional arrangements under the merger agreement between VSAC and VSAM expire at the end of 2009. Hence, starting next year, NAV will have to pay a higher contribution to Angestellte Schweiz, so that fees will 32
Elections to the NAV Executive Committee Executive members: Brunner Haas Linder Dr. Kniep Hirt
Henriette Ruedi Daniel Stefanie Roland
Chair Deputy Chair EAV Deputy Chair GAV Finance Marketing & Services
Full executive committee Dr. Jablonowski-Becker Fuchs König Lauditi Lerch Meister Pätzold Pellet Dr. Persohn Dr. Stampf Dr. Trächslin Zeller Hänni
Maria Sylvia Daniel Davide Alexander Urs Andrea André Elke Angelika Eva Sabine Susanne
External relations (FHNW), info editorial team ERC member, projects Projects ERC Chair, info editorial team, projects ERC member ARB committee member, member of the labor tribunal ERC member ARB committee member ERC member Pension fund trustee Vice chair of pension fund trustees info editorial team, projects info editorial team, projects
All members of the executive committee were elected unanimously by the voting members present. finally be standardized across all member organizations. However, this also means that for members in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, the services provided by this umbrella organization will be expanded to a degree (see info 1/2009). In order to ensure that NAV can continue to exist as an in-house association and offer its members good, professional services and represent associates in the firm in an optimal manner, the executive committee was obliged to submit to members a resolution to increase the membership fee. The committee’s resolution was passed with two abstentions. Starting in 2010 the membership fee will be CHF 130 for active members, CHF 60 for retirees and CHF 30 for apprentices. Election of auditors We are grateful to two of our existing auditors, Walter Stebler and Peter Kopp, for agreeing to stand for a further year. Jörg Keusch is standing as an auditor for the first time. All three were elected unanimously. For the coming year, Peter Kopp will serve as auditor 1 and Jörg Keusch as auditor 2; Walter Stebler will be substitute.
noted that crises are not entirely bad: they also provide an opportunity to reconsider things and to think in new ways. Good training and continuous professional development are essential to keep young people competitive in the global environment of today and tomorrow. He also mentioned a study which showed that this year, for the first time ever, the average Swiss citizen is proud of the pharmaceutical industry and has high hopes for it. Mr. Plüss went on to note that a social partnership needs strong partners, and that NAV is a solid asset for Novartis.
Speech by Michael Plüss The 11th General Meeting closed with a speech by Michael Plüss, the Head of Novartis Switzerland. In an address entitled “From a Mood of Crisis to New Optimism,” Mr. Plüss info Juni 2009
Social partnership at Novartis
Pension fund
News related to the Pension fund Pension funds are being discussed in the papers almost every day right now. The global financial crisis has dramatically increased the pressure most pension funds are facing.
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ost retirement benefit schemes in Switzerland are underfunded at the moment. The trustees in such cases are facing the need to get together with pensions experts and come up with a package of measures to fix the situation. If the underfunding is to be resolved within a reasonable timeframe, unpopular measures like lowering the return credited and/or calling for additional contributions (in some instances, and to a limited extent, even from retirees) are necessary. Measures to remedy underfunding have to take account of the specific situation of each fund, especially the structure of assets and liabilities and the composition of the members and retirees, and how this may be expected to develop in future. Novartis Pension Fund Ensuring that benefits can be paid over the long term is of the most fundamental core business of pension fund investments. Even so, the sharp price falls seen in stock markets have had an impact on the assets of the Novartis Pension Fund. The coverage ratio, i.e. the ratio of tied assets to free assets allowing for fluctuation reserves, was 112.5% at the end of 2008 using the calculation method specified in Article 44 (1) of BVV2. This means that the Novartis Pension Fund is still largely able to bear risk at the moment, but that almost no free assets remain. In other words, compared to most pension funds in Switzerland, ours is doing pretty well. However, if the global economic situation were to deteriorate further, we too might be obliged to take remedial action at some stage. Already in the current year the free assets were not sufficient to cover the cost of salary info Juni 2009
increases and early retirements. This cost a triple-digit million sum, which had to be funded by the company. Change of model?! As we heard at the annual general meeting (AGM) in March this year, Novartis has moved to defined contribution schemes in all countries internationally, and now the intention is that Switzerland too should switch as soon as possible from a defined benefit (DB) to a defined contribution (DC) model. Apart from considerations of a fundamental nature, the present economic and financial situation has definitely played a part in the company’s decision to move from DB to DC. The trustees of the Novartis Pension Fund will inevitably have to spend a great deal of time this year considering a change of model. The managers of the pension fund have already arranged various workshops for trustees, substitutes and experts, at which the background, the impact and the basis for taking decisions have been presented and are getting discussed in increasing detail. The employee trustees of the Novartis Pension Fund also have excellent contacts outside the company with other pension funds and neutral experts in the field across the whole of Switzerland. The idea of moving from DB to DC is a common one and has been discussed in these circles for years. The employee trustees and substitutes of the Novartis Pension Fund have been using this network for a long time, and we particularly want to benefit from the experience of experts and colleagues who have already made the switch. Before commencing negotiations about a switch, the employee trustees also want to take a good look at different
variants, because the success or failure of a move from DB to DC is mainly influenced by the details of implementation. What are – in short terms – the differences between defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC)? In the former, the company guarantees a benefit, currently 60% of final pensionable salary if all years of contribution have been fully paid up; that is the maximum possible pension. In a defined contribution scheme, what counts is the amount, i.e. the employee’s individual account. The amount in this savings account is converted into a pension; the intended size of the pension may be the same as in a defined benefit scheme. Unlike with a DB scheme however, under DC the rules of the free market apply. Good performance will generate a higher amount and viceversa. We will provide more details on the differences between DB and DC schemes in the next edition of info.
Henriette Brunner, Eva Trächslin, employee pension fund trustees 33
NAV, working for you
News from the social scene
Tree crocodiles and other animal stories Did you know? Around 6,800 animals live in Basel Zoo today? In an idyllic green setting in the very heart of the city! Most of these animals live under natural conditions in enclosures, terrariums, aquariums, etc. But there are some which you will not find there because the “Zolli” is also visited by other animals. The zoo site receives regular visits from cats, foxes and various species of birds. Unfortunately usually to the detriment of the exotic species – for instance when the foxes plunder the flamingo nests!
Past history asel Zoo, which the locals fondly refer to as the “Zolli,” was inaugurated on 3 July 1874. To begin with there were just a few enclosures with indigenous animals such as deer, wolves, foxes and birds. In the first year 62,000 people already visited the Zolli (at the time Basel had a population of just 50,000!). The first lions came to the zoo in 1890, the Antelope House was opened in 1910 and the zoo had to be extended in 1930. In 1956 Rudra – the first rhinoceros to be
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born in a zoo – caused a world sensation! So far 28 rhinos have seen the light of day in Basel, giving the zoo a prominent position in rhinoceros breeding. The Zolli has celebrated further breeding successes with dwarf hippopotami. 72 babies have already been born. Another sensation followed in 1959 when the first gorilla baby in Europe and the second in the world was born in Basel Zoo. The little female gorilla was called Goma and had to be raised by human hands because her mother lacked experi-
ence and did not know how to care for her properly. Other important animal imports followed. In 1970 Somali wild asses and bongos (a species of antelope) came to Basel. At the time they were not regarded as a particular attraction, but today they have become very rare. The breeding of Somali wild asses proved so successful that these animals can now be seen in many zoos. In 1972 the vivarium with its unusual architectural concept was inaugurated. The visitors’ corridor is 350 meters long, leads below the surface of the pool and shows the ocean depths before returning to dry land. Visitors do not realize that they have completed a 360° circle on their walk. The Children’s Zolli opened its doors in 1977. Here domestic animals from various countries can be seen. Children have an opportunity to enter the animal houses, touch and feed the animals. Elsewhere in the zoo this is strictly forbidden. Each year a temporary employee is recruited for six months to look after the animal terraces and supervise the children who work here voluntarily. The Children’s Zolli helps to develop and promote an understanding of animals and explain how to treat them responsibly. In the years that followed the zoo was repeatedly extended, renovated and converted into a landscape park. 2001 saw the opening of the new Etoscha House. This facility explains the food cycle of the African savannah. Here visitors will find plants, vegetarian and carnivorous animals which come from this part of the world. After five years of construction work, the Gamgoas House was opened to visitors in 2003. In bushmen’s language gamgoas means “the place where the lions are.” Here visitors not only see Mbali, the King of the Animals, with his two wives Okoa and Uma and his son Eisi, but also three adult crocodiles and two baby crocodiles, one chameleon and a termite mound probably containing several million termites. The Gamgoas House also contains an interactive nature conservation display. The new indoor and outdoor rhinoceros enclosure was inaugurated in 2006 and 2008. The facility covers some 2,000 square meters and provides a home not info Juni 2009
NAV, working for you
just for the three rhinos. Shared with the dwarf otters and muntjaks, this reserve constitutes an innovation. Sociable living in this way seems to be very much to the liking of the animals. The male rhino can be observed enjoying a bath while the dwarf otters chase one another across the enclosure. Future As the zoo is located in the city center and extension is impossible, the Zolli will not be able to expand in the near future. An Asian biotope facility with the focus on rhinos (existing enclosure) and giant pandas is planned. The Monkey House is also due to be refurbished and an outdoor facility built for primates. The Elephant House will be renovated and expanded. These conversion projects are necessary to adapt to modern principles of zookeeping and will bring visitors closer to the living environment of the animals and their social conduct.
Big photo competition A prize for your best snap from “doors and gates”! Send us your best photo (max. 3 photos each member)! NAV will award three attractive prizes. Send to: nav.nav@novartis.com
Further information at: www.zoobasel.ch
News Baby animals are magnificent! At present visitors can observe six vigorous meerkat babies and watch them finding their way around the world outside the cavern in which they were born. In the Monkey House you can admire little Garissa, a female chimpanzee playing with her 30year-old mother Benga. The newcomers were born in early April. What is a tree crocodile? Recently an acquaintance of mine heard this conversation between a grandmother and her grandson: “Grandma, what kind of animal is that?” – “That is a tree crocodile. The crocodile mummy lays eggs.” (That is true!) “When the babies are born they climb up into the trees for their own safety and wait until they are too big to be eaten by the adult crocodiles.” (Which is of course absolute nonsense!) In fact her grandson simply wanted to know the name of a chameleon!
Closing date for entries: 15 September 2009
Sabine Zeller NAV Executive info Juni 2009
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NAV, working for you
Management members can also be represented by NAV
Members advertise for members
O
ur campaign continues. Many participants have already won an attractive prize. By recruiting just one new member you too will take part in the next prize draw.
Annual subscription: Fr. 100.–
Joining NAV I would like to join NAV
I would like to play an active role in NAV
Address
Personnel No.
Surname
First name
Site
Tel. No.
Home address
Post code/Place
Date of birth
I was recruited by Surname
First name
Site
Tel. No.
Please fill out the application, sign and send to the NAV Secretariat, WRO-1225 P, or fax to 061 697 76 73
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NAV, working for you
Theme of the year 2009 – Social partnership
Strong employee associations are essential Strong employee associations are crucial to professionally represent employees in negotiations with companies.
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he media has been constantly full of bad news on the financial and economic crisis for months, and the impact of the global crisis is slowly but steadily becoming apparent here in Switzerland. The (as yet) limited impact of the crisis on the European pharma industry can generally be considered as a stroke of luck, but the overall outcome is still unclear. Operational changes, which are mostly a result of the current recession, are often linked with reduced hours or job cuts. In many cases, it is precisely the people who contributed to successful annual results in the boom years through their tireless commitment who are suddenly faced with change or even lose their jobs. Employee representatives are essential in these cases to ensure that employees are not simply abandoned to their fate, but that support is also available. The Novartis Employee Association (NAV) and its services Active use has been made of the services offered by the NAV in recent years. The employees in the NAV Office and the
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NAV delegates on the employee representative councils have been contacted frequently by associates. This is not only due to the increase in fear and uncertainty – we have also been contacted with enquiries on a wide variety of other topics. The demand for a strong NAV and all of its services is evident throughout the company. We receive a lot of correspondence with suggestions all year round. In order to continue to meet the needs of our members as best as possible, we need to know what concerns you in particular, what we should change, and what services you feel the NAV should be offering that it isn’t already. To continually improve our services, the NAV will send a
survey to all members by e-mail this year. As a valued member, we would appreciate your input. The results will show us how the NAV can cater even better to the demands of its members in the future. As you know, the NAV’s motto is “We keep our eye on the ball for you.” Your opinion is essential to helping us in this regard, so please complete the survey. In line with our motto: – Near to the action – Active on your behalf – Very trustworthy
Roland Hirt NAV Executive Committee, Marketing & Services
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NAV, working for you
From the employee representative counsil
Part-time staff and overtime – equal opportunities? The issue of overtime pay for part-time staff has been discussed in Switzerland for many years. Additional working hours are clearly legally defined under Art. 321c of the Swiss Code of Obligations. Employees are considered to have worked additional hours if work must be performed in excess of their agreed working hours.
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ow does this apply to part-time employees? The definition is the same, i.e. part-time employees are considered to have worked additional hours if they exceed their agreed weekly number of working hours. So, for example, a part-time employee who works 50% will have worked additional hours if he/she works more than 20 hours in a week. At Novartis, this is called flexitime. Additional hours are not the same as overtime Overtime is defined as any hours worked as an exception beyond the maximum number of weekly working hours (Art. 12, Swiss Labor Law/ArG). Based on a maximum of 45–50 working hours per week, overtime may not exceed two hours per day, except in emergencies and on nonworking days. Employees receive additional overtime pay for these hours.
Terminology/explanation Additional hours are defined as hours worked between 40 and 45 hours in a week. This is laid down in the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR). Additional hours are called flexitime at Novartis. Overtime is defined as the hours worked beyond 45 hours in a week. Overtime must be explicitly arranged by line managers (or under the terms of the CBA 43-hour regulation).
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Working hours Additional hours/overtime Hours per week
Overtime
Overtime must be explicitly arranged by line managers
45 Additional hours 40 Contractual weekly working hours
Maximum legal working hours
As a result, part-time employees (mainly women) are not treated the same as full-time employees. Why not? Most employers believe that part-time employees are only entitled to overtime pay after exceeding the legally defined maximum working hours, i.e. 45 hours (or under the terms of the CBA 43hour regulation). Employers do not want to reduce the maximum working hours for part-time employees in relation to their contractual working hours.
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Therefore, a part-time employee with maximum working hours of 20 hours per week only receives overtime pay after working an additional 25 hours in a week. Employers’ position 1. It isn’t covered in the Swiss Labor Law. 2. Additional hours have more of an impact on full-time employees than part-time ones. 3. Full-time employees have less flexibility in arranging their free time. 4. The Federal Council has not made any special provisions for part-time employees.
The NAV strongly believes that there is a need for action here. NAV position Even if there is no specific provision in the Labor Law and Labor Ordinance, we consider it necessary to act in support of parttime employees, who are largely women (87% at Novartis). In our opinion, the legal provisions no longer correspond to today’s flexible working time model and points 2 and 3 above are an outdated interpretation of part-time work. Experience shows that women in part-time employment have just as little opportunity to arrange their free time as full-time employees, if not even less. Take, for example, single parents or other associates with additional care duties (e.g. with parents requiring care). Part-time employees often have a second job, meaning that the impact of additional hours is identical to that on full-time employees. We believe that the maximum legal working hours for part-time employees should be reduced in relation to their contractual working hours. This would mean, for example, that an employee working 60% would be entitled to overtime pay for any time worked beyond 27 or 30 hours in a week. As we have a flexible working time model at Novartis, associates rarely receive overtime pay. Overtime must always be explicitly arranged by line managers.
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The current regulation could raise the question of equal opportunities which, depending on the response, could result in indirect discrimination. We therefore believe this issue must be clarified as we definitely see room for improvement. The NAV will continue to campaign on this type of issue for the benefit of associates. In order to be able to obtain improvements in legal provisions to the benefit of associates, we need a strong national network such as the umbrella organization Angestellte Schweiz with the necessary size and political influence.
Davide Lauditi Member of the NAV Executive Committee Chairman of the Employee Representative Council Associates
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NAV, working for you
Things to see in Basel, the Regio and Interregio – 11th contribution from Alsace, France
Ferrette, the former capital of the Sundgau Ferrette, also known as Pfirt, lies in a narrow valley in the Jura mountains, 12 km from the Swiss border in the Sundgau. Cyclists, cheese lovers and connoisseurs of the princely House of Monaco will probably be familiar with this little town already. For everyone else, an excursion brings a medieval experience and interesting panoramas.
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oday two persons are in the news under the name of Ferrette or Pfirt in German: the Count of Monaco who bears the title Comte de Ferrette (Graf von Pfirt) and the “cheese whisperer” Bernard Antony. The former capital of the Sundgau is said to have been founded in the year 1105 when Hohenpfirt castle was built by the first count Frédéric de Ferrette. After his eldest daughter Jeanne married the Habsburg ruler Albert II in 1324, the county passed to the Habsburgs whose reign did not end here until 1648. History is relived at the “Fêtes Médiévales”, or medieval festivities, which are held once every two years alternating with those of Saint-Ursanne (in the Swiss Jura/July 2009). My first memories of Ferrette are linked to the brown bus operated by Transports Citroën; it ran from Ferrette to the French railway station in Basel. That image in my mind’s eye closely resembles a film by Jacques Tati: the overladen bus with luggage on the roof and a ladder at the rear. When this link was suspended in 1973 or thereabouts, I wanted to experience the same feeling again but arrived one day too late in Pfirt. I can still feel my sore feet after walking back the 12 km to Rodersdorf. Today we can park our cars directly in Ferrette or nearby. The routes takes us from the car park in front of StBernard Church and then up steeply between the houses to the Hôtel de Ville 40
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or Town Hall from which we can begin the direct ascent to the ruined castle of Hohenpfirt. The stairways lead up to the Burgweg which takes us to the viewing platform in the castle. In fine weather visitors can look out over the upper Rhine plain far away to the Black Forest, giving free rein to their thoughts. Directly beneath us lie the houses densely packed below the castle hill. Behind us we see the green hills of the Jura. Many hiking routes are well marked from the castle hill. We chose the trail leading to the Grotte des Nains or Dwarfs’ Grotto. Via the Heideflüh viewpoint which lies on a rocky outcrop to the east of the ruined castle we followed the route to the grotto. After resting at lunch on a viewpoint on the cliffs above the Grotte des Nains, we walked down through the wood to the grotto. The walls of rock constrict our route and at the foot of one such wall we come across the little cave in the rocks. Unfortunately we have not brought torches with us to explore the underground world. But the information provided on the rocks immediately in front of the grotto is interesting and a key to a different world, especially for children. The
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return journey leads us around the castle hill to the barracks from which we reach the eastern entrance of Ferrette and go straight to the upper part of the town. Meanwhile, the sun has changed its position in the sky and its rays are shining on the row of houses facing the mountain. Picturesque corners and several finely decorated houses can be admired in the brilliant afternoon sun. The garden restaurants are an attractive venue, while the tunes played by the bells of the church tower clock give us a discreet reminder that it is time to start out on our journey home. After a pleasant stay, we leave Ferrette and cast a glance back from the southern heights onto the little town and the castle towering over it. Description of the route Ferrette is some 30 km south of Mulhouse, around 25 km west of Basel. We chose the road via Leymen, Wolschwiller, Sondersdorf and reached Ferrette from the south across the hill. The hiking trail from Rodersdorf to Ferrette is marked out over around 12 km. The routes leading up to the ruined Hohenpfirt castle in Ferrette are well identified and marked. Many other trails
Important The routes up to the ruined castle, the Grotte des Nains and around Ferrette pass through woodland sometimes over loose stones; good walking shoes are essential for such excursions! Hikers need to have a sure footing, especially on the smaller trails.
lead to the Grotte des Nains and other destinations through romantic rock formations and woodland. Hiking maps Club Vosgien Map N7/8 “Sud Alsace/Nord Franche-Comté/Mulhouse/Masevaux/ Belfort/Montbéliard“ 1:50,000 Swiss National Map Sheet 213T Laufental-Sundgau-Wiesental 1:50,000
Peter Bernauer
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