Swiss Media Publishers Association and syndicom on the verge of an industry agreement
The Swiss Media Publishers Association wishes to conclude an industry-wide agreement with syndicom after impressum had previously rejected the agreement. This agreement, reached through social partnership, establishes favorable minimum working conditions for approximately 4,000 salaried media professionals in Switzerland. Employment relationships with freelancers will continue to be governed by individual contracts.
The conclusion of an industry agreement (BV) with the syndicom trade union offers a further opportunity for media professionals working for private publishing houses to obtain favorable minimum working conditions. Potentially around 4,000 journalists will benefit from the agreement, which will apply to both large and small publishing houses in German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino.
Minimum wages and continued payment of wages
The monthly starting salary for permanent journalists should now be at least CHF 5,300 (for publishers with fewer than 500 employees) or CHF 5,800 (for more than 500 employees), and CHF 5,000 or CHF 5,300 for technical editorial staff. Employees will receive 100 percent of their salary for the first 30 days after the end of the probationary period in the event of illness, and 80 percent of their salary for the following 690 days.
Additional days off and vacation entitlement
Employees who work on at least 15 Sundays or public holidays within the meaning of the Labor Act are granted five additional days off. The same applies to employees who work 25 or more nights at night. The vacation entitlement comprises five weeks' vacation, and six weeks' vacation from the age of 50.
Maternity and parental leave
In addition to the statutory maternity leave, the daily allowances of the EO are supplemented to 100% of the salary for the duration of the leave and the leave is extended by two weeks, whereby at least 80% of the salary is paid during the extension. At her request, the employee can also take an additional month's unpaid leave following the maternity leave. The daily allowances of the EO during the leave of the other parent are supplemented to 100% of the salary for two weeks. The other parent can also request additional unpaid leave of up to one month following the leave.
Voting and information sheet for freelancers
Subject to the adoption of the BV by the syndicom industry conference on April 28, 2026, the members of the VSM will decide on its adoption at the general meeting on May 7, 2026. At the same time, a leaflet for freelancers is to be acknowledged - this aims to provide guidance for members. At the same time, the VSM maintains that freelance journalists should continue to be regulated by tried-and-tested individual contractual agreements.
Willingness to engage in dialog with impressum
impressum is still free to sign the BV after a possible conclusion. The Swiss Media Publishers Association is maintaining its willingness to engage in dialog. As the BV states, it will come into force when three-quarters of the media professionals working for VSM members with BR-authorizing activities support it. The association will work to ensure that the agreement is adopted by as many members as possible.
In view of the current situation for publishers, the willingness of media companies to take on BV is all the more important. The challenges include declining media consumption, advertising money flowing abroad to big tech companies and the unsolicited and unpaid takeover of content by AI providers. This makes the BV all the more important as a symbol of social partnership.
