Switzerland EU agreement: The reactions of SVP, Unia and SGB

SVP early riser with mourning candles and halberd

Already on Friday morning, the SVP party leadership gathered in front of the Federal Palace and staged funeral candles and a halberd, carried by party president Marcel Dettling. The SVP points new treaties between Switzerland and the EU categorically back – regardless of the outcome of the negotiations. The party said no to an “EU subordination treaty,” she said.

Unia: “Wage protection not secured”

The Unia trade union emphasizes the importance of a regulated relationship between Switzerland and the European Union, particularly with regard to the free movement of people and equal rights for all employees. The open labor market in Switzerland requires particularly effective wage protection, as the wage gap with the EU is significant, she says. Unia criticizes the fact that, despite many rounds of negotiations since the “Common Understanding” of 2023, central questions remain open, which causes a lack of understanding. The planned adoption of the EU expense regulations is particularly problematic, as it would lead to loss of income for employees and to wage pressure as well as unfair competition, especially in industries with high expense costs.

Unia also warns of the impact of a bail in the event of a repeat offense, which would lose its preventive effect against wage dumping. She also criticizes the blockade attitude of employers who reject domestic political compensation measures and thereby prevent compromise solutions.

SGB: “Negotiation result unsatisfactory”

The Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (SGB) criticizes the agreement between Switzerland and the EU that has been declared concluded because it could weaken wage protection and public service. The SGB particularly criticizes the lack of security deposit guarantees for companies, which makes it more difficult to enforce Swiss wages. In addition, the proposed “deposit in the event of a repeat incident” is ineffective and the “blocking of services” is not sufficiently guaranteed. Another problem is the adoption of the EU expense rule for employees, which makes the reimbursement of accommodation and meal costs less favorable, as these are higher in Switzerland than in many other EU countries.

The SGB will carefully examine the final text of the agreement and determine how to proceed at an extraordinary meeting of delegates in January 2025. The SGB demands full transparency from the Federal Council about the exact contents of the agreement in order to be able to make well-founded decisions.

Criticism also from Travailsuisse

The umbrella organization of employees, Travailsuisse, criticizes the agreement with the EU. It is foreseeable that the new agreement will significantly weaken wage protection. This was not acceptable for Travailsuisse, it said in a statement on Friday.

Electricity companies welcome conclusion of electricity agreement

The Association of Swiss Electricity Companies welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations on Bilateral III, in particular the electricity agreement. The better Switzerland is integrated into the European electricity market, the more resilient, safer and cheaper its electricity supply will be.

It is particularly welcome that basic services can be maintained and that the industry has room for maneuver here, according to a statement on Friday. It is also positive that electricity suppliers and distribution network operators are allowed to remain in public hands, that flexibility is provided with regard to reserve power plants and that there are no regulations for the award of hydropower concessions. Cooperation on hydrogen is also being sought.

The association is convinced that the opening of the electricity market in Switzerland will create optimal conditions for both basic supply and market offerings. One of the EU’s conditions for concluding an electricity agreement is that customers have freedom of choice. According to the association, consumers will benefit from the choice.

SDA/nag

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