Graphic arts industry: CLA negotiations successfully concluded
The contracting parties—Viscom, Comedia, and Syna—have concluded their negotiations on the collective bargaining agreement for the Swiss graphic arts industry. They reached an agreement on the collective bargaining agreement for the years 2009 through 2012.
On Tuesday evening, the contracting parties concluded negotiations on the collective labor agreement (CLA) in the graphic arts industry and reached an agreement for the years 2009 to 2012. The employers' association for visual communication Viscom and the trade unions Comedia and Syna agreed on an increase in minimum wages of between 3 and 9 percent, depending on the wage category. A new wage category for further processing has been defined and lower minimum wages are possible for professional staff in craft bookbinderies. The contracting parties now meet once a year in the fourth quarter.
The CLA provides for a reduction in night and shift bonuses from 100 percent today to 75 percent in 2009. From January 2010, the bonuses will be reduced by a further 5 percentage points. However, Viscom announced on Tuesday that bonuses of up to 100 percent could still be agreed at company level in the future. In newspaper printing, a night and shift allowance of 100 percent will continue to apply until the end of 2011. In addition, Viscom, Comedia and Syna have agreed to continue the absolute peace obligation.
According to Viscom, the new CLA takes account of the extremely tense economic and structural situation in the graphic arts industry. In response to an inquiry from SDA, the trade union Comedia was pleased that the CLA continues to stipulate minimum wages. On the other hand, the reduction in night allowances and the lack of general applicability are a downer.
An overall result has been drawn up by the Viscom negotiating delegation. Viscom members will now vote on the results of the negotiations in a ballot at the end of January 2009.
The CLA provides for a reduction in night and shift bonuses from 100 percent today to 75 percent in 2009. From January 2010, the bonuses will be reduced by a further 5 percentage points. However, Viscom announced on Tuesday that bonuses of up to 100 percent could still be agreed at company level in the future. In newspaper printing, a night and shift allowance of 100 percent will continue to apply until the end of 2011. In addition, Viscom, Comedia and Syna have agreed to continue the absolute peace obligation.
According to Viscom, the new CLA takes account of the extremely tense economic and structural situation in the graphic arts industry. In response to an inquiry from SDA, the trade union Comedia was pleased that the CLA continues to stipulate minimum wages. On the other hand, the reduction in night allowances and the lack of general applicability are a downer.
An overall result has been drawn up by the Viscom negotiating delegation. Viscom members will now vote on the results of the negotiations in a ballot at the end of January 2009.
