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Bilaterals III: Swissmem welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations – no gifts for trade unions

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Noé Blancpain
Head of Communications and Public Affairs
+41 44 384 48 65 +41 44 384 48 65 n.blancpain@swissmem.ch

Bilaterals III: Swissmem welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations – no gifts for trade unions

19/12/2024

Swissmem has been in favour of the bilateral approach from the outset. The common understanding relating to the Bilaterals III was already a good basis; further improvements were achieved in the negotiations. At first glance, the important agreement appears advantageous for Switzerland. Swissmem will now analyse the result and expects to give an assessment at its Board meeting at the end of February. The domestic policy price of the agreement will be one key factor: the flexible labour market as a main locational advantage must not be relinquished. Swissmem supports safeguarding the current level of protection in the accompanying measures but rejects any “gifts” for the trade unions such as a general expansion of the universally binding nature of collective employment agreements.

In a world shaped by trade wars and conflicts, legal certainty and access to the largest market – Europe – with as few barriers as possible, recruitment of specialists and participation in research and innovation projects as well as an electricity agreement to ensure the supply and grid stability are crucial. The association for the Swiss tech industry (mechanical and electrical engineering industries and related technology sectors) views the outcome of the negotiations as clearly positive in an initial analysis. President of Swissmem Martin Hirzel comments:

“Europe is the main market for the Swiss tech industry and accounts for 55% of sales – the Bilaterals are and will remain important for us. At first glance, the agreement appears advantageous. The domestic policy price of the agreement will also be a key factor for Swissmem’s position: approval is conceivable only without irrelevant gifts for the trade unions. We will continue to cooperate on technical measures to safeguard the current level of protection for the accompanying measures.”

No further interventions in the flexible labour market

While the conclusion of the negotiations creates clarity with regard to foreign policy, attempts by the trade unions to exert pressure in terms of domestic policy are preventing a strong alliance. Thanks to safe jobs and improvements in prosperity, employees will benefit from the Bilaterals at least as much as companies. This is also why the trade unions do not have any veto rights. For years, they – together with the Swiss People’s Party – have criticized the Bilaterals III; the time has now come to show their true colours.

Swissmem continues to support safeguarding the current level of protection with technical measures. By contrast, Switzerland's flexible labour market as a key locational advantage with its high wage costs must not be relinquished. Therefore, Swissmem will only be able to approve the overall Bilaterals III package without any gifts for the trade unions, specifically in terms of an expansion of the universally binding nature of collective employment agreements and national minimum wages.