Member Mail 3 / 2021
- Bottom Line of the Crisis: Achievements
- SEV-GATA General Meeting on September 23, 2021
- Aviation Team
Dear Colleagues
SEV-GATA has now been able to sign collective regulations for the current crisis in all social partnerships within the aviation sector, with the exception of Swissport Geneva.
Bottom Line of the Crisis – Short-time Work: Break in Sight
Long-term social partnerships do not obscure the conflicting interests of companies and trade unions: While companies often strive to optimize the earnings of their investors, we as a trade union want our members to benefit from fair working conditions, long-term job security, appropriate wage development and sustainable social benefits. Obviously, this leads to conflicting interests that need to be resolved and often causes severe conflicts. SEV-GATA has decades of experience in dealing with such issues successfully.
In the crisis, however, small wage adjustments of plus or minus 0.25 percent are not a major priority. And that's legitimate! It is important to secure companies and jobs to prepare them for the return to normal.
Alliances have formed in the fight against the pandemic: Politicians, companies and trade unions have agreed on measures to “freeze current structures” until the crisis is over. SEV and SEV-GATA, who have been politically active for decades and have a better network than most companies, were committed to the interests of the employees. With obvious success:
- A federal aid package of billions was put together exclusively for aviation
- Swiss supplemented the short-time work allowance (KAE) in the first phase of the crisis to 100 % of the usual wages
- short-time work conditions have been simplified and expanded in both phases
- the short-time work allowance for “low wage earners” was increased to 100 % and we agreed on an elevated minimum ceiling with Swiss.
- The maximum allowance period of four billing periods between March 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, has been abolished
- And now, on March 19, 2021, Parliament has given the Federal Council the authority to increase the maximum duration of the KAE to 24 months if the economy does not recover in the summer.
Our hard work before the crisis, but also especially during the past few weeks, has paid off: If the “ramp up” in aviation is delayed over the summer months, the Federal Council will not be able to avoid using this right – a success for all employees!
But this success is also clearly an ultimate challenge for companies: Now it is important to forego structural adjustments, to use the support packages, to secure jobs and thus to remain prepared for the “delayed” upswing. It would be economically and socially irresponsible to launch downsizing measures NOW after this public and collective support. Any such plans are to be abandoned immediately. This is the only way to maintain solidarity and social peace – an essential prerequisite for successfully mastering the challenges of the “ramp up”.
However, employees must remain patient in spite of painful wage losses and the importance of work exceeding the wages, thus becoming a burden.
With vaccination and a corresponding certificate, the chances are good that the call to persevere “only” has to last for a few more months. SEV-GATA stays on the front line, behind and in front of the scenes, with one goal: to secure your future!
SEV-GATA General Meeting on September 23, 2021
The SEV-GATA executive committee has decided to postpone this year's general meeting (GM) to the second half of the year, specifically to Thursday, September 23, 2021. This year, after the impressive anniversary celebration in summer 2020, we will decide on how to adapt our GM 2021 to the situation and subsequently inform you about our decision.
Aviation Team
Markus Cadosch, SEV union secretary, has supported us over the past two years with part of his workload in the aviation team, especially at Swiss. Now he is taking the opportunity to reduce his workload to be able to do more charity work elsewhere. Respect! With this, Markus Cadosch is giving up his aviation responsibilities but remains with SEV for several other sectors. Markus, thank you for this great collaboration and all the best for the future – we'll stay in touch!
With Sheila Belometti, we have a suitable successor as a union secretary at the Regional Office in Zurich: Sheila has been part of the air traffic team since January 1, 2021. With an academic backpack, combined with airline experience as a cabin crew member and a few months' employment at another union, she has the best possible prerequisites for work in aviation. Welcome! (The coordinates and pictures of Sheila and the other members of the SEV Aviation Team can be found on http://www.sev-gata.ch.)
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. SEV-GATA is there for you: In times of crisis and always!
SEV-GATA, a membership that pays off – individually, collectively, globally. Thank you for your trust.
Warmest regards,
Philipp Hadorn, President
SEV-GATA, your union in the aviation industry!
Philipp Hadorn, President GATA: SEV-Aviation
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