Unions unveil 2005 battle plan

Rechsteiner (right) presented a busy schedule for the year ahead Keystone

Union leaders have announced their campaign issues for the year ahead, saying their top priority is the introduction of a flexible retirement age.

The Swiss Federation of Trade Unions also said it would be opposing moves to extend Sunday trading and liberalise the electricity market.

Speaking at a news conference in Bern, federation president Paul Rechsteiner said unions would be asking voters to support plans for a flexible retirement age.

Delegates approved a proposal at a meeting in September whereby workers could opt to take their pension between the ages of 62 and 65.

Unions said they were responding to calls by employers and the government to raise the retirement age.

“A majority of the population is against raising the retirement age,” said Rechsteiner. They want a system with a flexible retirement age – something that has been promised for a long time.”

Pension costs

In November the Swiss Employers’ Association called for the retirement age to be raised to 66 by 2013, to cover pension costs and spur economic growth.

Two years ago Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin stirred up a hornets’ nest when he suggested increasing the retirement age to 67.

Rechsteiner said he was confident of winning the support of the Swiss people. He pointed to voters’ rejection in May of a government proposal to cut old-age pensions and raise the retirement age for women to 65 (from 64) by 2009.

Another target for the federation, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, are plans – approved by parliament in September – to relax Sunday trading restrictions.

The change in the law would allow shops at 25 railway stations and six airports to stay open 365 days a year. At present seven railway stations offer Sunday shopping.

A coalition of trade unions, consumer organisations, shopkeepers and churches are challenging the decision in a nationwide vote. They claim it would open the door to a seven-day working week and undermine workers’ rights.

The federation said it was also prepared to challenge any moves by the government and parliament to liberalise the electricity market.

swissinfo with agencies

Key facts

The Swiss Federation of Trade Unions celebrates its 125th anniversary this year.
It is made up of 17 unions.
The federation represents around 390,000 workers.