Without it, nothing can be done in European politics: The fundamental opposition of the trade unions to the framework agreement was one of the reasons why the Federal Council ended its talks with the EU this week. According to the employee representatives, the present contract would have jeopardized wage protection. Accordingly, the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (SGB) applauded the Federal Council’s decision.
As Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter made clear, the social partners and cantons would again play an important role in the upcoming domestic political discussions. At the same time, she promised to examine in which areas a unilateral adjustment to EU law would be in Switzerland’s interest.
It is precisely those areas that were controversial in the negotiations with the EU that could soon become an issue again. According to insiders, these are in particular the eight-day rule, the deposits for foreign companies and the frequency with which such companies are inspected.
Are the trade unions – besides the SVP the real winners of the European debate – already facing the next fight? One thing is clear: unlike Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Keller-Sutter is known for maintaining a good exchange with the social partners. This was evident in the vote on the 2020 dismissal initiative. At that time, it got the unions to be at the forefront for a no, and thus breathed new life into the old European alliance. The price for this was the introduction of a bridging pension.
The top trade unionist, Pierre-Yves Maillard (53), is also confident. “We have had good experiences with Federal Councilor Keller-Sutter,” says the SP National Council and SGB President. Regarding the eight-day rule or deposits, Maillard says: “When we are enforced, we are always ready to discuss specific problems.” However, he suggests that the trade unions are demanding concessions from employers for concessions in these areas; for example, with regard to protection against dismissal for employee representatives.
But while the unions are still celebrating their victory, new hardships loom elsewhere. Within the SP, some are annoyed by the no to the framework agreement – and the role that the unions played in it. “The benevolence for them was already greater,” remarked SP foreign politician Fabian Molina (30). In his opinion, there will be a “massive mobilization” against the position of the trade unions on the European question: While the latter see the EU rules as a threat to workers’ rights, Co-Party President Cédric Wermuth has the idea of joining the EU again on Wednesday brought into play.
The two positions are incompatible – a dispute over the direction is thus mapped out.