Switzerland has to legislate against anti-union dismissals

2009-06-04uss_Invitation-english.pdf

MEDIA INVITATION

 

Bern, 4th June 2009

 

Switzerland has to legislate against anti-union dismissals

 

Dear Madam/Sir,

 

On 9th June, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard will be present at the head office of the Interna-tional Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva to jointly sign, with ILO Director-General Juan So-mavia, the new cooperation agreement between this UN organisation and the host country Swit-zerland – as part of a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the ILO.

 

The Federation of Swiss Trade Unions (SGB/USS) will use this opportunity to protest with a sym-bolic action against the passivity of the Swiss government. Despite of being reprimanded by the ILO, the Swiss government still refuses to legislate against wrongful, anti-union dismissals and to adapt its legislation which is not in accordance to the ratified ILO Convention No. 98.

 

This symbolic action is taking place on :

 

Tuesday, 9.6.09, between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.

outside the North Entrance of the Palais des Nations (UNO),

rue de la Paix 14, Geneva

(opposite the head office of the ICRC).

To get there : Bus V, Z, or 8 and 28, bus stop "Appia".

 

At a press conference to be held immediately afterwards, at

9 a.m., Restaurant Vieux-Bois, avenue de la Paix 12

(very close to the UNO entrance, where the action took place earlier)

you will be able to hear

Vasco Pedrina, Head of the Swiss employees’ delegation to the 2009 ILO conference

Christian Bruchez, lawyer, expert in labour law

 

They will give brief presentations about the political and legal aspects of this question. Some of the trade unionists who have become the victims of wrongful, anti-union dismissals will also be present.

 

We invite you to come to the action and to the press conference. For additional information, please contact : Vasco Pedrina (079 772 37 47)

We hope that this event will be of interest to you.

With kind regards,

Ewald Ackermann (SGB/USS)