4/2009
T端ren und Tore Portes et portails Doors and gates
Inhalt
Editorial Türen und Tore
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Editorial Portes et portails
Aktuell Unsere Weihnachtsgeschichte
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De saison Notre histoire de Noël
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Partenariat social chez Novartis Caisse de retraite Taux de conversion et taux d’intérêt
Sozialpartnerschaft bei Novartis Pensionskasse Umwandlungssatz und Zinssatz NAV, für Sie aktiv Fotowettbewerb – die Sieger
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Änderung im Auszahlungsmodus der Monatsgehälter ab 1. Januar 2010 12 Mitglieder werben Mitglieder Bericht vom NAV family day in Augusta Raurica
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Editorial Doors and gates
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News Our Christmas story
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Social partnership at Novartis Pension fund Conversion rate and interest rate
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NAV, active pour vous Concours photo – les photos primées 23
NAV, working for you Photo competition – the winners
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Les membres parrainent des membres 24
Change to the payment arrangement for monthly salaries from 1st January, 2010 35
Modification du mode de paiement des salaires mensuels à partir du 1er janvier 2010
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Compte-rendu de la Journée des familles de la NAV à Augusta Raurica 26
Sehenswertes aus Basel, Regio und Interregio 13. Beitrag: aus Deutschland, Bad Säckingen
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Curiosités de Bâle, régio et interrégio 13e partie: Bad Säckingen, en Allemagne 28
Ein Rückblick mit Voraussicht
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Une rétrospective avec perspective
Novacomics
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Report from the NAV family day in Augusta Raurica
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Sights worth seeing in Basel, the Regio and Interregio 13th contribution: from Germany, Bad Säckingen
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Members recruit members
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A look back with foresight
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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 Dezember 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.: 48/2009 Auflage: 5000 Expl. Redaktionsschluss info 1/2010 5. Februar 2010 Versand info 1/2010 23. März 2010
Titelbild Türen und Tore (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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oors and gates: the subject for this year’s NAV photo competition. Many members have made use of this opportunity and photographed an extremely diverse range of doors and gates. The spectrum of shapes, colors and significance which doors can assume never ceases to be amazing. They can be open, and invite one to enter. But they can also bar or limit one’s path. In the Middle Ages it was the lords of the castle and their loyal subjects who found that they were best able to defend themselves against enemies by raising the drawbridge and locking the heavy iron gates. Doors have sometimes been made inaccessible or even bricked up in old buildings. Horrid dungeons as well as precious treasures can be hidden behind doors; but whatever might be hidden behind them, it arouses the curiosity of those to whom access is refused. Something hidden inevitably also has something secretive about it. Closed doors and gates may however simply be closed to protect against unwanted glances and intruders; open ones on the other hand indicate welcomeness. People open doors and pass through gates on a daily basis. Whether doors are open to someone or remain closed can also be understood in the figurative sense. There are people who regularly attempt to enter the “private terrain” of others in spite of having no entitlement to do so. Whether this takes place deliberately or unknowingly, the act can be an injurious one. Practically everything depends on the behavior of people, on their own attitude. Perhaps some doors might be open to one or another persons if their behavior was more appropriate and showed due respect and consideration towards others.
“Even a heavy door only requires a small key.” Charles Dickens
But … it needs to be the right one!
peu de doigté et de soin pour l’ouvrir. Si l’on use de violence, les dégâts peuvent être considérables. La serrure peut être irrémédiablement cassée, la porte rester définitivement fermée et le mystère inaccessible à jamais. Mais si l’on s’efforce d’ouvrir une porte «grippée» avec doigté et égard, si l’on observe les règles et s’adresse à l’autre avec respect, il peut se produire de petits miracles. La porte du paradis et la porte de l’enfer sont parfois très proches. Chaque pas doit par conséquent être parfaitement réfléchi.
Of what use is the “wrong key” which one applies forcibly to try and gain entry? A lock always needs the “right key” to open it, otherwise all the effort will have been in vain. If the cut of the key is too dissimilar from the recesses in the lock, then one has no chance. Perhaps the lock might only be jammed, in which case it only requires a certain amount of dexterity or care to open it. However, if one goes about the process too aggressively and tries to force access, the damage can be considerable. The lock might become damaged irreparably, the door forever locked and that which is hidden away, unobtainable forever. But, if one tries to open a “jammed door” with skill and care, and observes all the pertinent rules, and approaches the other side with respect, then wonders can be experienced. The gateway to happiness and the gateway to misery sometimes lie very close to one another, thus making it all the more important for every step to be taken in a measured manner.
Your NAV Chairperson Henriette Brunner
Votre présidente NAV Henriette Brunner info Dezember 2009
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News
Our Christmas story
When Grandfather woke up When the grandfather held the little miracle in his strong arms, she appeared even smaller and more vulnerable. Wonderingly, he looked at her little eyes, so large in her small face. He was sitting on his favorite sofa next to the hearth. The light of the fire gave the room a special warmth. Through the window, you could see the first snowflakes falling almost in time with the ticking of the grandfather clock, which showed five minutes to eight.
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t was many years since he had experienced the same feeling of warmth as he did at this moment. It was as if the pain of the past had caught up with him again. He could sense that the pain was still within him, deep down. Perhaps it would have been possible to see a scar in his heart. And now his thoughts flew hither and thither. The two men sitting on the sofa seemed to be moving in slow motion. They were talking to one another, but he heard only muffled sounds, so overwhelmed was he by the emotions stirred in him by his new-born grandchild. It seemed as if there were, after all, still things on this earth that could warm his frozen heart, and it was not only to do with this baby. It was not the first time he had held such a sweet little thing in his arms. His wife Anastasia had brought two wonderful daughters into the world. Yet this warmth seemed to be different, and not only because so much time had gone by. His elder daughter was very similar to him, which could not be said of the younger. She was most like him in her commitment to her work. She had opted for a career as a manager in a large company. Just like her father, she had been very successful. She gave all her time to info Dezember 2009
the job. This meant that she simply had no time for building up a serious, longterm relationship with anyone. The only advantage was that her work distracted her from her failed relationships. He could well understand that kind of distraction. His younger daughter, however, was quite different. This sweet little girl whom he was holding in his arms looked so different, yet at the same time was so similar to his younger daughter, who resembled his wife, Anastasia. She was the mirror image of her. He remembered how proud his late wife had been whenever someone thought they were sisters. And now, with the little one in his arms, it was quite different. The pain of the past was still there, but this time it was easier to bear, at least for the moment. Those people, as he always called them after the accident, who had taken away his Anastasia – he hated them so much that over the intervening years the very features of his face had changed. Lines of hatred and pain had appeared. After all, everyone knew that people of that nationality were all speed maniacs, but no one had ever really done anything about it. He felt that he had been let down by his compatriots and by the state. So, over the years, his pain turned to hatred, his hatred to blindness and the blindness to darkness, which froze in his heart. Anastasia would never have fallen in love with such a man. She had fallen in love with a man who was able to love and to whom hatred and racism were alien emotions. Even though his younger daughter knew about his pain and the hatred he felt for people of this particular nationality, she had fallen in love with one of them. They had married, and the result of their love was now lying on his lap. This marriage had been too much for him, so for some years he had refused to have any contact with his daughter. Even though this separation had caused him
just as much pain as the loss of his wife, his stubbornness made him blind. So blind, that he had never seen his daughter again, until today. And now he was asking himself the question he should have asked long ago. It was not that he was unintelligent. Yet the answer to this simple question had never been clearer than at this moment. These delicate features and beautiful eyes were just like those of his daughter. Although you could not deny the similarity to her father, he saw Anastasia. She had often talked to him about how she would have loved to have grandchildren. They used to talk to each other about what they would do with them, and often laughed about what little tricks the grandchildren might play. On that accursed evening, it had all been ruined, just like that, because of a car accident. On that evening, the traffic lights at the crossroads were flashing amber and it had just begun to snow. What came next happened so quickly. The verdict of the court had been unambiguous; it was an accident, none of those involved could have done anything about it. Only in his own verdict was guilt assigned. On that evening it had been he who really wanted to go. Anastasia had only done what he wanted. That is why his feeling of guilt was so immense, the burden so great that he could not bear it himself. And so he had looked for someone to bear it for him. Now it became clear to him that he alone was guilty. Not guilty of the death of his wife. Guilty of wanting to find someone to blame at any price, when there was no one to blame. That was really what he was guilty of. Guilty of having spent so many years of his life in hatred. The grandfather clock chimed eight times and his grandchild awoke, as he had done.
By an anonymous author
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Social partnership at Novartis
Pension Fund – generating a rent from the second pillar
Conversion and Interest Rates Retirement savings plans in Switzerland are based on a system of three independent pillars. Pillar I (AHV: old age and survivors’ insurance) and pillar II (occupational pension/pension fund) are mandatory in Switzerland. Pillar III is voluntary but the sum accrued is tax deductible.
The three pillars of retirement provision
Pillar I
Pillar II
Pillar III
AHV
occupational pension
personal savings
Pillar II
Interest rate according to personal investment strategy
Pay-as-you-go
Positive and negative returns are possible Interest rate according to current PF model and resolution of the board of trustees
How is the occupational pension provision under pillar II turned into a pension? pension from a pension fund (PF) consists of the retirement savings accrued under pillar II.
A
The salary insured under pillar II consists of the BVG portion, i.e. the portion which is subject to the Federal Law on Occupational Retirement, Survivors’ and Disability Pension Plans (the maximum 32
Contains BVG portion with minimum interest rate according to Federal Council resolution, currently 2.0%. This portion must be logged in a “shadow account”
insurable salary under BVG is currently CHF 82,080 p.a.), and any portion in excess of this known as the “extramandatory” portion. The interest rate on BVG retirement savings is set annually by the Federal Council. The interest rate for the extramandatory portion, which is mainly based on investment performance, is derived from the interest rate set annually according to the regulations or a resolution of the board of trustees.
How is this capital turned into a pension? The pension is calculated by applying a conversion rate to the capital accrued (e.g. a conversion rate of 6.0% applied to a capital of CHF 100,000 gives a regular pension of CHF 6,000). Whereas in a defined contribution fund, the pension can be calculated directly by applying the conversion rate to the retirement savings, defined benefit funds insure a target pension as a percentage of the final insured salary. The amount of the defined benefit pension is based on the individual retirement savings and is calculated using the “cash value of the accrued benefits.” All funds providing for the legal minimum must apply the legally stipulated conversion rates when converting BVG retirement capital into a pension and must log this in a “shadow account.” The minimum BVG conversion rate The conversion rate applied to BVG retirement savings is defined by law and adjusted taking into account demographic trends. This goes hand in hand with increasing life expectancy. Without an adjustment, too much strain would be put on the solidarity between the labor force and retirees because as a rule, pension payments, once guaranteed, cannot legally be reduced. Increases in pension payments from the last ten years can only be reversed if the pension fund is underfunded or in case of other special circumstances. In 2003, parliament voted to lower the minimum conversion rate from 7.2% to 6.8% with effect from January 1, 2012. In 2008, a second vote agreed a further cut to 6.4%, leading to a heated debate between supporters and opponents of this bill. The term “pension theft” has often been used in this context by opponents, while supporters focus their arguments on demographic trends (longer life expectancy), declining market performance and responsibility for sustainable social security.
info Dezember 2009
The Federal Social Insurance Office (BSV) is currently assuming an average investment return of 3.9% and a technical interest rate of 3.4%.
We asked Dr. Kathrin Amacker, National Councillor (CVP, Basel-Land) and Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Novartis, about the reduction in the conversion rate.
Henriette Brunner, Eva Träschslin, employee pension fund trustees
Interview with Dr. Kathrin Amacker, National Councillor and Novartis Employee, by H. Brunner and E. Trächslin
Kathrin, we’ve known for a long time that people are increasingly living longer. It seems obvious that the conversion rate has to fall due to rising life expectancy. However, the conversion rate for mandatory pension cover (BVG portion) has been maintained at 7.2% for many years. Has the opportunity for a timely reaction been missed? It is vital to follow trends closely and be able to react at the right time. These reactions should take long-term trends into account. However, a knee-jerk reaction is not advisable. Ultimately, we must ensure that we don’t endanger our social system with excessive risks. On October 3, 2003, both parliamentary chambers approved a cut in the minimum conversion rate from 7.2% to 6.8% with effect from January 2012. Was that the right time? The reduction in the conversion rate is a reflection of the increased life expectancy of the Swiss population. We’re increasingly living longer; therefore, the capital saved must be spread over more years after retirement. This is an accounting process, not a political one. Parliament therefore dealt with the facts accordingly. In December 2008, both parliamentary chambers agreed on a further reduction in the conversion rate for mandatory cover (BVG portion) to 6.4% from 6.8%. What was the trigger for this further reduction? The key factors were again facts regarding the life expectancy of the Swiss population, and also the realization that the medium- and long-term future of the financial markets could no longer simply be viewed as optimistically as it was a decade ago.
info Dezember 2009
Despite understanding the need to lower the conversion rate, we have an uneasy feeling about the future. There will be massive pension losses throughout Switzerland. Although the pension funds did well over a long period during the 90s, pensions were only adjusted in part or not at all. What were the reasons behind your decision to approve a further cut in the conversion rate? The reduction will help to secure our occupational pension system for the long term. We must not push our pension funds into taking disproportionate risks due to our excessively high expectations regarding returns. As history has shown, we cannot simply assume that the prosperity of European countries will continue in the future. Europe is steadily losing economic influence. A referendum has since been called against the cut to 6.4%. Do you think that the referendum could be successful? There must be plans for panel discussions offering arguments for and against; can you give us any information about this? The referendum is due to take place in March 2010. I think it’s generally a good thing if the public takes an interest in the issue of occupational pension funds. It should be widely discussed; this is up to us as politicians. We need to make it clear to the population that this is not a matter of “pension theft”. Nothing will be taken away from anyone. However, we can only distribute what is actually available, and we also need to ensure funds for the next generation.
I am against an increase in the retirement age but in favor of more flexibility regarding the retirement age of 65. The eleventh AHV amendment, which increased the retirement age for women, led to savings of CHF 800 million, of which I believe CHF 400 million should be used to cushion the social impact of early retirement for people with low incomes. In your opinion, what is the long-term outlook for pillar II (significance) and what advice on retirement planning would you give to someone who is just starting out in their career? I’m not particularly negative regarding the outlook for pillar II. I recommend that young people who are looking for a job carefully examine the pension plan as well as the salary offered. Young people need to take responsibility for assessing their personal situation, in consultation with their family, and choose the right pension model for them. Occupational pension plans can suddenly play an extremely important role for very young people too, in the event of any disability.
Do you think that an increase in the retirement age would be an alternative, or even a necessary addition?
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Social partnership at Novartis
Details regarding interest on retirement savings Retirement savings are accrued through contributions made by the employee, the employer and the interest rate in order to accumulate the required target capital by the age of 65. The minimum interest rate for BVG retirement savings was unchanged between 1984 and 2002 at 4%. Since 2003, the interest rate has been set annually in advance by the Federal Council, and has fallen steadily. A key element in setting the minimum interest rate is the moving average of 7-year Swiss government bonds. Although returns on investments were particularly high during the 90s (sometimes over 10%), the interest rate was not increased on this balance. The current minimum interest rate on BVG retirement savings is 2% (this is set annually by the Federal Council, most recently in October 2009). The following overview shows how sharply the interest rate has changed in recent years.
Overview of the change in the interest rate in recent years Minimum interest rate % 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 1983
1988
1993
1998
2003
2008
The interest rate on the extra mandatory portion is set according to the regulations or a resolution of the board of trustees.
– Change in risk benefits (death, disability) – Demographic trends – Need for provisions to build reserves Pension funds must generate a higher interest rate than the current 2.0% on the BVG portion in order to ensure that they have sufficient means to increase pension reserves due to increases of salaries, and to create reserves for periods of poor equity performance. This has led some PFs to make high-risk investments to generate a higher return and avoid underfunding.
Henriette Brunner, Eva Träschslin, Pension fund trustees
The criteria for setting these interest rates are – Investment performance (interest rates on government bonds as a secure reference value)
Key photo competition, 2009
The winning photos Jean-Daniel Horner
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n its 2/2009 edition of info, as well as on its Web site, the NAV again announced it would be holding an attractive photo competition, this time on the subject of “doors and gates.” You were then able to appraise and mark all of the beautiful and impressive photographs on our Web site (www.nav.ch). At this point we should like to thank you all most sincerely for your submissions which again allowed us to share many attractive and fascinating holiday memories with you. It now gives us great pleasure to be able to present the winning photos to you.
This year again, the NAV photo competition proved to be extremely popular and we received a large number of different photos depicting doors and gates.
The winners 1st place
Picture no. 34, Jean-Daniel Horner, WSJ-310.2.09.3 1 designer watch (limited edition, 50 watches), in a hand-signed metal box donated by the artist Carole
2nd place
Picture no. 42, Heinz Schaub, WST-111.E.716 Voucher for 2 people for 5 nights’ accommodation in a Sunstar hotel, donated by Sunstar Hotels
3rd place
Picture no. 46, Jörg Friedebold, WSJ-316.4.08 Voucher for an annual subscription in the Novartis Fitness Center Donated by Fitorama AG
34 info Dezember 2009
NAV, working for you
Change in the payment arrangement for monthly salaries as from January 1, 2010
How less can also be more! As from January 2010, Novartis employees with an individual employment contract will have their annual salary paid in 12 monthly payments, instead of 13 payments as has been the case until now. The 13th month’s salary, will not be dispensed with, but divided up between the 12 monthly salary payments.
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his means that there will not be less money, only the payment arrangement will be brought into line with the practices in the majority of foreign Novartis Group companies. The children’s and training allowances have already been paid out in 12 and not 13 instalments since May 2008. The NAV Advisory Board sees no disadvantages in this change to the payment arrangement, since supposedly less can ultimately even be more! How do we arrive at this conclusion? Last year the NAV submitted an application to the company management for the improved employment conditions to also be conferred to employees who have an individual employment contract. The improved employment conditions contain two additional days holiday for all, as well as an adjustment to the REKA entitlement for employees with an individual employment contract.
info Dezember 2009
Negotiations ensued between the employer’s and employee’s associations and, as is often the case, solutions that included compromises also needed to be arrived at. That which has been gained and lost then needs to be weighed up in each case. In material terms we have lost nothing, in fact we have won! We are well aware that the payment of the 13th monthly salary has become well established in our company and that many people use this to pay taxes, or to purchase Christmas presents. The change to the payment arrangement is an extremely emotional subject and has also caused much indignation amongst many NAV members. Why is the NAV accepting this changed payment arrangement? – No one will be less well-off as a result of this change. On the contrary; the larger amount that will be transferred to employee’s accounts every month as a result of the changed payment arrangement means that, with a favorable interest rate, it can even be beneficial. – The negotiations that we held with the company last year led to the outcome that all employees will benefit from two additional days holiday (however with a 30-day maximum restriction). Summary 13 monthly salary payments will now be divided up into 12 parts and paid out; the
annual salary will not however reduce as a result of this, the monthly payments will instead become commensurately higher. As from 2009, employees will benefit from two additional days holiday, or, expressed mathematically: 13 = 12 + 2 One can even say that employees will not only benefit from more days holiday, but that they will also be able to take advantage of better interest payments, should the interest rate situation improve again in future. But there is also something else that requires correction! When wage negotiations have a positive outcome, Novartis makes the salary adjustments in April in each case. And since the higher wage will now be divided into 12, there will be a lesser amount in the monthly payments from January to March in comparison to the previous payment arrangement.
The NAV is requesting that this difference is compensated for with an additional payment in April. The NAV has already sent a letter detailing this request to the company management on 2nd November, 2009.
NAV Advisory Board
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NAV, working for you
NAV family day at Augusta Raurica
An instructive day out at Augusta Raurica A family afternoon spent getting to know the Romans and experiencing their everyday life at first hand. Whether they were baking bread in a Roman bakery or piecing together a shard puzzle, the children’s eyes lit up like lanterns in all the many workshops on offer on NAV family day at Augusta Raurica.
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he weather could not have been better on 12 September 2009, when the NAV Committee and NAV members and their families – a party numbering 147 people altogether – made the journey to Augusta Raurica to enjoy an afternoon out with
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the Romans. Two thousand years ago Augusta Raurica was a lively Roman town and home to between 15,000 and 20,000 people. Now, as Switzerland’s largest archaeological park just a stone’s throw away from Basel, it boasts more than thirty unique monuments and organizes numerous workshops and activities so that visitors can get a taste of what archaeology is all about. The Roman house The Roman house is an original reconstruction of the living and working quarters of a Roman family. The main highlight here, however, is the largest known hoard of silver dating from Late Antiquity, consisting of more than 250 plates, bowls and coins. Because here, unlike in most muse-
info Dezember 2009
ums, you are allowed to touch exhibits and try things out for yourself, you inevitably come away with a very vivid impression of what everyday life in Roman times must have been like. You can even stretch out on one of the sofas in the banquet hall. Just do as the Romans did and take off your shoes first! Baking Roman bread In the bakery, the children were given a chance to grind corn themselves and enthusiastically threw their weight into pushing round the heavy millstone. Once ground, the flour had to be sieved and the dough kneaded and shaped into loaves. Baking bread in a Roman oven turned out to be quite an art. Shard puzzle What do all the thousands of shards found during excavations tell visitors about life in Roman times? In one workshop, the children were given real Roman shards and asked to piece them together to make a jar or pot, while in another, they were given a lump of clay and allowed to make figures modelled on Roman originals. Amphitheater barbecue In about 200 A.D., the Romans of Augusta Raurica decided to build themselves a large oval arena on the southern perimeter of the town. The new arena was to replace an older structure in the town center, which was to make way for a theater. The architects of the new amphitheater made ingenious use of the existing topography by situating the new arena in a natural depression, called the Sichelengraben. At relatively little expense, therefore, they were able to enlarge the existing depression to create an arena measuring 50 x 33 m and to landscape the grassy banks surrounding it to create a substructure for the (wooden?) tiers of seats. This seminatural amphitheater had room for some 8,000 spectators and was used as a venue for gladiator fights and animal baiting. The entertainments laid on for NAV family day were considerably more civilized and the NAV family ended this most interesting day out with a barbecue accompanied by the bread the children had baked, washed down with some appropriate thirst quenchers. info Dezember 2009
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NAV, working for you
Things to see in Basel, Regio and Interregio – 13th contribution, Bad Säckingen, Germany
Bad Säckingen, the border town on the with Europe’s longest timber bridge The Rhine as both border and threat was responsible for determining large parts of the history of this town. The bridge connects both banks and allows opportunities for development. Today, the historic timber bridge is a jewel and an attraction for young and old.
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oth towers of the Fridolin Cathedral stand out prominently, especially from the Swiss side of the border; their “green hats” seem to keep a vigilant watch over the Rhine Valley. In front of the cathedral, the old timber bridge has linked both banks since the 13th century. Until 1979, daily traffic flowed over this old crossing between Germany and Switzerland. Every time I cross the bridge from Stein with guests from overseas, we always have an urge to discuss the history of this area over the past centuries. The fact that this bridge predates the colonial era, which in turn also means that it is older than many countries in the world, can be seen quite
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clearly. Initially constructed in the 13th century, the bridge has been destroyed and damaged several times since then by wars and floods, which also explains why Franz Xaver and Nepomuk as saints are supposed to protect the bridge. Even on the new bridge, constructed beneath the old town in 1979, Saint Fridolin is still accorded the right to hold his protecting hand over the bridge and its users. The fact that the inner town of Bad Säckingen lay on an island until 1830, and that the old stone bridge still lies buried in the ground on the northern side of the old town provides us with a glimpse into the town’s rich history. According to finds which are said to date
back to 7000 BC, mention was also made there of the missionary Saint Fridolin who was supposed to have established a double monastery and built a church on the Säckingen Rhine island in the 6th/7th century on the orders of the Franconian king. Parcels of land by the High-Rhine, by Lake Zurich and in Glarus canton were signed over to this monastery. In 878, Emperor Charles III presented the cathedral to his wife Richgard; today, this is the oldest document belonging to the town of Bad Säckingen. Following the 1100year anniversary celebrations in 1978, the town’s name was officially changed to "Bad Säckingen." After these historical reflections, we enter the old town directly on the other bank. The Fridolin Cathedral with its two towers always seems to hold a magical allure, and we find a magnificent interior from the baroque period dating from the years 1698 to 1755 in the cathedral
info Dezember 2009
High-Rhine whose construction commenced in 1360. Market life in front of the cathedral is characterized, above all, by local specialities: vegetables, fruits, meat, sausages and cheeses are offered for sale to customers on Saturdays and are also eagerly bought. The purchase of foods on the cathedral square also allows us to ponder about what might have happened here in the past; the beautifully adorned houses frequently also conceal humor on their facades. Take for example the saying written in 1854 by Joseph Victor von Scheffel, where the name “Hiddigeigei” refers to the tomcat in the story, the “Trumpeter of Säckingen”: “Hiddigeigei, spricht der Alte, pflück die Früchte, eh sie platzen, wenn die magern Jahre kommen, saug an der Erinnerung Tatzen!” (“Hiddigeigei”, exclaims the old man, pick the fruits before they burst, for when the lean years come, you’ll only be able to suck your paws in reminiscence!”) But also the alleyways with their, above all, later fountains and the many shops provide us with much enjoyment during our stroll through the town. The depiction of Hiddigeigei, the tomcat, arching his back on one of the fountains by the Rhine leads us to ponder as to whether we might be the cause for this. No visitor to the town however needs to contend with extended hunger or thirst; there are more than enough opportunities to sate and slake these. After our city tour, I once again had to visit the Bergsee which lies around 2 km to the north of Säckingen. This relic from the ice age which was changed in around 1802/1803 and filled with fresh water from the Schöpfebach, was much as I had remembered it from excursions in my youth. A circuit of the lake concluded my excursion to Bad Säckingen.
Peter Bernauer
info Dezember 2009
Route descriptions Bad Säckingen lies directly on the River Rhine, approx. 30 km east of Basel. It is easily accessible by car and by railway from Germany and Switzerland (railway station: Stein-Säckingen). The path directly along the Rhine on the Swiss side (get out under the new Fridolins road bridge towards the river bank) leads upstream to the old timber bridge which is only passable by pedestrians and cyclists. From the town center, the Bergsee lies 2.5 km to the north and 90 meters higher in elevation; easily accessible on foot as well as by car. Pedalos on the lake also allow children to have their fun. Hiking maps Baden-Württemberg leisure activities map, sheet 508 Lörrach National map of Switzerland, sheet 214T Liestal
1:50,000 1:50,000
Important Identification papers will need to be carried when making border crossings on the old timber bridge! The footpaths are good and also suitable for pushchairs.
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NAV, working for you
Management members can also be represented by NAV
Members advertise for members 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.
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info Dezember 2009
NAV, working for you
2009 – A look back with foresight
What have we gained personally from the year that is about to end? In a few weeks, this year will already have drawn to a close and few of us will be any the wiser as to why it passed so quickly; with the recent summer holidays barely having left our thoughts, New Year’s Eve already seems to be upon us once again.
I
t truly isn’t easy to understand why time seems to pass us by so quickly and leave us with practically no means of seizing it in a tangible way. We are all engrossed too deeply in our day-to-day work, one deadline passes only to reveal the next, results are demanded and each of us is under pressure to also deliver these within the allotted completion period. Such permanent stress cannot however be borne by everyone and this situation unfortunately also claims its casualties over and over again. Casualties arise because people are mostly their own worst enemies and knowingly or unknowingly exceed their limits because of the work that is asked of them. Where this seems to be the case, luckily we have various internal posts to whom we can turn, for instance our internal staff delegates, social services etc., as well as advanced employment conditions that take work-life balance, for example, into account. However, I am also of the opinion that we should pay more attention to our colleagues. Not every colleague feels able to confide in his or her superior, when health problems might be the issue at hand that needs to be addressed. We instead tend to accept things as they are and hope that the situation will improve in future. The overly great attention that is directed at personal circumstances nowadays is perhaps still justifiable in individual cases, but we should also be aware that one or another colleague might possibly no longer feel able to confide in his or her circle of work associates. Especially now, when the run-up to Christmas is just before us and we are receiving pressure from all sides to coninfo Dezember 2009
clude any unresolved matters as quickly as possible, we should allow time for a dedicated contemplative reflection during the period ahead. A reflection that shouldn’t necessarily dwell on commercial success, but above all also extend to a consideration of the needs and feelings of others. The increasing degree of anonymity and passiveness over recent years has not necessarily led to better interpersonal relationships, which is why the coming festive period would be an ideal time in which we should reflect on our personal relationships again. Those of
us who need help and support cannot always admit this. That’s why it is pertinent to remain truly observant of those around us, and not only before or during the festive period. Many of us also make resolutions for the New Year, but instead of only focusing on one’s self there could also be scope for dedicating more time to one’s personal relationships, be they at home and/or at work. Although resolutions don’t cost anything to make, their value shouldn’t be underestimated when results occur, as everyone will benefit from these. Bearing this in mind, I wish you and your families a joyful festive period and much optimism in the New Year. Because, once again, it is upon us.
Roland Hirt NAV Board Member and Staff Delegate
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