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Mediation process ended: Swissmetal to implement the outcome at Reconvilier, offers to cooperate with unions and industry association New start with the Reconvilier workforce A significant proportion of the active workforce at Reconvilier, as well as many customers and investors, wish to see a rapid stabilization of the situation and an end to the conflict which threatens jobs at the plant. The Board and management of Swissmetal have therefore decided to end the uncertainty which has been generated by the present lack of clarity and which presents an enormous obstacle to rebuilding. Part of this follows on from the broad-based proposals of the mediation expert, which have been accepted by both the union and the company. The time has come for Swissmetal to make a new start with its remaining employees. The company is conscious that the effects of the conflict, and especially the emotional impact, will continue to be felt for a long time to come and will require particular attention. However, prolonging the mediation process would increase the feeling of uncertainty at the Reconvilier plant and the company's management would be failing its responsibilities if it were to allow it to continue.
Unions should be able to evaluate progress Swissmetal is willing for its implementation of the mediation expert's proposals to be monitored, and therefore invites the industry association Swissmem and the unions concerned to keep an eye on the situation and the progress made at the Reconvilier plant be engaging in a regular dialogue. The objective is to return to normality as quickly as possible by putting the expert recommendations into practice in a pragmatic way. One of the first and most crucial steps in this direction will be for the active workforce to once again elect a works council and employee committee that are truly representative, with one chairman each.
Vote of thanks to Rolf Bloch |
