SWISS clash with technicians over work shifts

Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) is in an ongoing conflict with aviation technicians regarding working hours. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox This has led to calls for a new model for shifts. SEV-GATA, the aviation branch of the Transport Workers' Union (SEV), has made heavy accusations against the airline. The airline has rejected the accusations. Employees are allegedly subjected to pressure, their union representation is questioned and in some cases employees are threatened with dismissal, wrote SEV president Philipp Hadorn in a letter to SWISS management ten days ago. The letter, first reported on today by the Blick newspaper, is published on the SEV website. The current shift pattern with five consecutive days of night work and eleven hours of work per shift is only possible with special authorisation from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). In fact, only nine hours are allowed to be worked at night. This special authorisation ...