Bern model: 'Der Bund' must reorganize and dismantle

The cooperation with the Berner Zeitung (BZ) in the publishing sector (the "Bern model") has also brought changes to the paper architecture of the daily newspaper Der Bund, which had to be restructured in order to accommodate the joint advertising section in the paper. Since the beginning of the year, BZ and Bund can only be published together. Among other things, the local section has been moved to the third Bund, and the weekly media page has also been dispensed with - for the time being. The fee-based eBund Plus Internet service has also been discontinued. Furthermore, Bund Verlag and the media union Comedia have agreed on a social plan for those employees affected by the implementation of the Bern model. The social plan, which is valid until the end of 2005, provides for an extension of the notice periods as well as compensation payments for those dismissed who become unemployed or take up a new position with a lower basic salary.