info

2/2009

MitbestimmungParticipation

Co-determination

info Juni 2009 3

MitgliedschaftenAngestellte Schweizarb: Angestellten Vereinigung Region BaselStarke Region Basel

RedaktionsteamHenriette Brunner, Maria Jablonowski-Becker, Ruedi Haas,Daniel Linder, Roland Hirt, Davide Lauditi, Sabine Zeller,Susanne Hänni

KontaktadresseNovartis International AGHenriette BrunnerPostfach, 4002 BaselTelefon 061 324 43 43E-Mail henriette.brunner@novartis.comInternet www.nav.ch

NAV GeschäftsstelleWRO-1225.P, Postfach, 4002 BaselTelefon 061 697 39 00Telefax 061 697 76 73E-Mail nav.nav@novartis.com

Offizielle AdresseNovartis AngestelltenverbandMattenstrasse 51, Postfach, 4002 Basel

info erscheint vierteljährlichLaufende Nr.: 46/2009Auflage: 3700 Expl.

Redaktionsschluss info 3/20098. August 2009

Versand info 3/200921. September 2009

ÜbersetzungenInter-Translations SA, Pavillonweg 4, 3001 BernCLS Communications AG, Elisabethenanlage 11, 4051 Basel

TitelbildMitbestimmung (Foto WoK design)

Grafik/Satzcdesign, Reinach

DruckRunser Druck & Satz AG, Basel

Jegliche Wiedergabe von Artikeln und Bildern, auchauszugsweise, nur mit schriftlicher Genehmigung derRedaktion.

La reproduction/publication d’articles et de photos ainsique d’extraits d’articles ne peut se faire sans l’accordécrit de la rédaction.

The reproduction of this publication in any form is forbidden without the expressed written consent of theEditorial Team.

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Sämtliche Artikel finden Sie auch unter: www.nav.ch

Inhalt

EditorialMitbestimmung 4

Sozialpartnerschaft bei NovartisElfte Mitgliederversammlung des NAV 6

Pensionskasse – Aktuelles aus dem Bereich der Vorsorge 8

NAV, für Sie aktivBaumkrokodile und andere Tiergeschichten – aus dem Basler Zolli 10

Fotowettbewerb 2009 Thema: «Türen und Tore» 12

Jahresthema 2009 – SozialpartnerschaftEine starke Sozialpartnerschaft brauchtstarke Partner 13

Teilzeitangestellte und die Überzeit, eine Gleichstellungsfrage? 14

Sehenswertes aus Basel, Regio und Interregio11. Beitrag: aus dem Elsass, FrankreichFerrette, der alte Hauptort des Sundgaus 16

Mitglieder werben Mitglieder 17

Novacomics 44

EditorialCo-determination 5

Social partnership at NovartisEleventh General Meeting of the NAV 31

News related to the pension fund 33

NAV, working for youTree crocodiles and other animal stories – from Basel Zoo 34

Photo competition 2009 Theme: “Doors and gates” 35

Members recruit members 36

Theme of the year 2009 –Social partnershipA strong social partnership needs strong partners 37

Part-time Staff and overtime – equal opportunities? 38

Sights worth seeing in Basel, the Regio and Interregio11th contribution: from Alsace, FranceFerrette, the former capital of the Sundgau 40

EditorialParticipation 4

Partenariat social chez NovartisOnzième assemblée des membres de la NAV 20

Caisse de pensions –Actualités dans le domaine de la prévoyance 22

Concours photo 2009 Thème: «petites et grandes portes» 23

NAV, active pour vousCrocodiles arboricoles et autres histoires animalières – du Zoo de Bâle 24

Thème de l’année 2009 –Partenariat socialUn partenariat social fort a besoin de partenaires forts 25

Employés à temps partiel et travail supplémentaire, une question d’équité? 26

Curiosités de Bâle, régio et interrégio11e partie: d’Alsace, FranceFerrette, l’ancienne capitale du Sundgau 28

Les membres parrainent des membres 30

Co-determination

5info Juni 2009

What is democracy? What are itsbasic elements? Switzerland is ademocratically governed coun-try. Fundamental requirements

must be met for this form of government toexist. Democracy is arguably one of the mostdemanding forms of government, as it chal-lenges both the administration and the peopleto a great extent with its often highly complexissues. Some people fundamentally questiondemocracy or its various forms. However, it isan incontrovertible truth for many peopleworldwide that democracy is the best form ofgovernment. In point of fact, large majorities

of the population in western industrial nations enjoy levels of personal freedom andprosperity that are rarely achieved in countries with other forms of government.

In Switzerland, we have a grassroots democracy. As someone from Appenzell, I expe-rienced clear, impressive grassroots democracy up close during my childhood throughthe traditional annual municipal council. At that time, women were not allowed to voteand I sometimes had to stand by and watch events somewhat uneasily, without beingable to contribute to the result myself. This has made me appreciate the opportunity Inow have to give my opinion a voice in ballots all the more. Unfortunately, little noticeis taken of the opportunity represented by co-determination in Switzerland: averagevoter turnout is only 30–40%. Why is this? Aren’t people interested in co-determina-tion? It’s a missed opportunity! And yet, democracy functions better than any otherform of government. Perhaps this is because democratic constitutions grant individualsconsiderably more freedom than authoritarian regimes.

“It has been said that democracy is the worst form

of government, except all those other forms that

have been tried from time to time.”

Winston Churchill

Good information is the most important thing in a democracy. It is therefore essentialto give voters a deeper insight into the topic and win them over with arguments. Witha well-founded argument, even unpopular measures that appear unattractive for theindividual but are extremely sensible for the community can often be approved. Forexample, the 11th General Meeting of the NAV had to vote on an increase in the mem-bership fee, which was passed by all active members present, with two abstentions.

Unfortunately, despite the announcement of this important decision, only a smallnumber of NAV members were persuaded to attend the annual general meeting. This isa real shame, as it was not just an opportunity for co-determination on various agendaitems, but also a chance to ask questions and to exchange interests and experiences withother members, guests, and the Executive Committee.

Your NAV Chairperson

Henriette Brunner

info Juni 2009 31

Social partnership at Novartis

NAV Chair Henriette Brunnerwelcomed just short of 100members and guests to the11th General Meeting. Dis-

appointingly, despite important decisionslooming (increased membership fees),this was another year where we wereunable to persuade more active membersto come.

Social partnership activities last year2008 was an intensive and challengingyear for social partnership at Novartis.

The Chair summarized the main points:– Improved social benefits for all associ-

ates. Once the company had agreed toimprove child allowances and vacationbenefits for CBA employees, NAV im-mediately demanded these improvedconditions be extended to all employ-ees with an individual employmentcontract. After various discussionsbetween the social partners, theseimproved benefits were ultimatelygranted to employees with individualemployment contracts too. This means

that from May 2008 and 1 January,2009 respectively, all employees willreceive increased child and educationallowances and Reka checks, as well astwo extra vacation days (subject to amaximum of 30 days).

– Project Forward: The Chair did not go into detail on this project, as a greatdeal has been reported about italready. Once again she mentioned theJob Center, which proved to be a verymajor support for all those affected.Intensive use was made of this impor-tant hub, which operated until 31 Ja-nuary, 2009. Since the closure of theJob Center, its former head Elsbeth Ballhas been working in the NAV office.

– Novartis Pension Fund: Elections of employee trustees and substitutes. TheNAV candidates excelled again andwon a majority of employee represen-tative seats on the Board. The NAV alsoachieved a majority of seats for substi-tute board members. Furthermore, thevice chair will be a NAV member of theBoard of Trustees again.

– Changes at the NAV office: The meet-ing bid an official farewell and pre-sented flowers to Silvia Bergmann andIrène Gasser, who both served in the

Good networks both inside and outside the company are essential for an in-house association that is strongly committed to social partnership. Nearly 100NAV members and guests had an opportunity at the 11th General Meetingto see for themselves the importance of the links and commitments the NAVhas outside the company, and why this is likely to remain the case in future.

Generel meeting of the NAV

Working for theAssociates

info Juni 200932

NAV office for many years and decidedto take early retirement at the start of2009. A warm welcome, also withflowers, was given to the office’s newemployees Elsbeth Ball and AngelaOberrieder, who have been sharing an80% position since February 2009.

Financial statements 2008 The NAV’s financial manager StefanieKniep presented the 2008 financial state-ments and gave members a clear insightinto the income and expenditure of theassociation. Income largely comprisesmembership fees and the company con-tribution. The income from selling adver-tising space in our magazine info is onlysufficient to cover a small portion of thetranslation costs incurred to keep ourmembers informed. All income is appliedfor the benefit of our members.

The Auditor Report for the year 2008,read out by the 1st Auditor Mr. WalterStebler.

Important networksIn the last issue of info we showed atlength how important it is to have anexternal network. Swapping experienceswith employee associations in the chemi-cals and pharmaceuticals industry in theregion, and with other industries at na-tional level, is crucial for NAV. The um-brella organization Angestellte Schweiz iswhere these contacts all come together.This group represents around 26,000employees in Switzerland and its networkputs us in contact with various parlia-mentarians in Berne. Social partnership,politics and business are closely linkedtogether. Treating each of these areas inisolation leads one to quickly exhaust thepossibilities.

Michael Lutz, regional secretary for thechemical and pharmaceutical industriesat Angestellte Schweiz, gave a speechunderlining how important it is foremployees to be included in a nationwidenetwork.

Membership fees to rise from 2010As we have mentioned on several occa-sions, the transitional arrangementsunder the merger agreement betweenVSAC and VSAM expire at the end of2009. Hence, starting next year, NAV willhave to pay a higher contribution toAngestellte Schweiz, so that fees will

finally be standardized across all memberorganizations. However, this also meansthat for members in the chemical andpharmaceutical industries, the servicesprovided by this umbrella organizationwill be expanded to a degree (see info1/2009).

In order to ensure that NAV can con-tinue to exist as an in-house associationand offer its members good, professionalservices and represent associates in thefirm in an optimal manner, the executivecommittee was obliged to submit tomembers a resolution to increase themembership fee.

The committee’s resolution was passedwith two abstentions. Starting in 2010the membership fee will be CHF 130 foractive members, CHF 60 for retirees andCHF 30 for apprentices.Election of auditorsWe are grateful to two of our existingauditors, Walter Stebler and Peter Kopp,for agreeing to stand for a further year.Jörg Keusch is standing as an auditor forthe first time.

All three were elected unanimously.For the coming year, Peter Kopp will serveas auditor 1 and Jörg Keusch as auditor 2;Walter Stebler will be substitute.

Speech by Michael PlüssThe 11th General Meeting closed with aspeech by Michael Plüss, the Head ofNovartis Switzerland.

In an address entitled “From a Moodof Crisis to New Optimism,” Mr. Plüss

noted that crises are not entirely bad:they also provide an opportunity toreconsider things and to think in newways. Good training and continuous pro-fessional development are essential tokeep young people competitive in theglobal environment of today and tomor-row.

He also mentioned a study whichshowed that this year, for the first timeever, the average Swiss citizen is proud ofthe pharmaceutical industry and has highhopes for it.

Mr. Plüss went on to note that a socialpartnership needs strong partners, andthat NAV is a solid asset for Novartis.

Elections to the NAV Executive Committee

Executive members:Brunner Henriette ChairHaas Ruedi Deputy Chair EAVLinder Daniel Deputy Chair GAVDr. Kniep Stefanie FinanceHirt Roland Marketing & Services

Full executive committee Dr. Jablonowski-Becker Maria External relations (FHNW), info editorial teamFuchs Sylvia ERC member, projectsKönig Daniel ProjectsLauditi Davide ERC Chair, info editorial team, projectsLerch Alexander ERC memberMeister Urs ARB committee member, member of the labor tribunalPätzold Andrea ERC memberPellet André ARB committee memberDr. Persohn Elke ERC memberDr. Stampf Angelika Pension fund trusteeDr. Trächslin Eva Vice chair of pension fund trusteesZeller Sabine info editorial team, projectsHänni Susanne info editorial team, projects

All members of the executive committee were elected unanimously by the voting mem-bers present.

Social partnership at Novartis

info Juni 2009 33

Most retirement benefitschemes in Switzerland areunderfunded at the moment.The trustees in such cases

are facing the need to get together withpensions experts and come up with apackage of measures to fix the situation.If the underfunding is to be resolvedwithin a reasonable timeframe, unpopu-lar measures like lowering the returncredited and/or calling for additional con-tributions (in some instances, and to alimited extent, even from retirees) arenecessary. Measures to remedy under-funding have to take account of the spe-cific situation of each fund, especially thestructure of assets and liabilities and thecomposition of the members and retirees,and how this may be expected to developin future.

Novartis Pension FundEnsuring that benefits can be paid overthe long term is of the most fundamentalcore business of pension fund invest-ments. Even so, the sharp price falls seenin stock markets have had an impact onthe assets of the Novartis Pension Fund.The coverage ratio, i.e. the ratio of tiedassets to free assets allowing for fluctua-tion reserves, was 112.5% at the end of2008 using the calculation method spec-ified in Article 44 (1) of BVV2.

This means that the Novartis PensionFund is still largely able to bear risk at themoment, but that almost no free assetsremain. In other words, compared tomost pension funds in Switzerland, oursis doing pretty well. However, if the glob-al economic situation were to deterioratefurther, we too might be obliged to takeremedial action at some stage. Already inthe current year the free assets were notsufficient to cover the cost of salary

increases and early retirements. This costa triple-digit million sum, which had to befunded by the company.

Change of model?!As we heard at the annual general meet-ing (AGM) in March this year, Novartishas moved to defined contributionschemes in all countries internationally,and now the intention is that Switzerlandtoo should switch as soon as possiblefrom a defined benefit (DB) to a definedcontribution (DC) model. Apart from con-siderations of a fundamental nature, thepresent economic and financial situationhas definitely played a part in the compa-ny’s decision to move from DB to DC.

The trustees of the Novartis PensionFund will inevitably have to spend a greatdeal of time this year considering achange of model.

The managers of the pension fundhave already arranged various workshopsfor trustees, substitutes and experts, atwhich the background, the impact andthe basis for taking decisions have beenpresented and are getting discussed inincreasing detail.

The employee trustees of the NovartisPension Fund also have excellent contactsoutside the company with other pensionfunds and neutral experts in the fieldacross the whole of Switzerland. The ideaof moving from DB to DC is a commonone and has been discussed in these cir-cles for years. The employee trustees andsubstitutes of the Novartis Pension Fundhave been using this network for a longtime, and we particularly want to benefitfrom the experience of experts and col-leagues who have already made theswitch. Before commencing negotiationsabout a switch, the employee trusteesalso want to take a good look at different

variants, because the success or failure ofa move from DB to DC is mainly influ-enced by the details of implementation.

What are – in short terms – the differ-ences between defined benefit (DB) anddefined contribution (DC)? In the former,the company guarantees a benefit, cur-rently 60% of final pensionable salary ifall years of contribution have been fullypaid up; that is the maximum possiblepension.

In a defined contribution scheme, whatcounts is the amount, i.e. the employee’sindividual account. The amount in thissavings account is converted into a pen-sion; the intended size of the pensionmay be the same as in a defined benefitscheme. Unlike with a DB scheme how-ever, under DC the rules of the free mar-ket apply. Good performance will gener-ate a higher amount and viceversa.

We will provide more details on thedifferences between DB and DC schemesin the next edition of info.

Henriette Brunner, Eva Trächslin,

employee pension fund trustees

Pension fund

News related to thePension fundPension funds are being discussed in the papers almost every day right now.The global financial crisis has dramatically increased the pressure most pen-sion funds are facing.

Social partnership at Novartis

info Juni 200934

NAV, working for you

Past history

Basel Zoo, which the locals fondlyrefer to as the “Zolli,” was inau-gurated on 3 July 1874. To beginwith there were just a few enclo-

sures with indigenous animals such asdeer, wolves, foxes and birds. In the firstyear 62,000 people already visited theZolli (at the time Basel had a populationof just 50,000!).

The first lions came to the zoo in 1890,the Antelope House was opened in 1910and the zoo had to be extended in 1930.In 1956 Rudra – the first rhinoceros to be

born in a zoo – caused a world sensation!So far 28 rhinos have seen the light ofday in Basel, giving the zoo a prominentposition in rhinoceros breeding.

The Zolli has celebrated further breed-ing successes with dwarf hippopotami.72 babies have already been born.

Another sensation followed in 1959when the first gorilla baby in Europe andthe second in the world was born in BaselZoo. The little female gorilla was calledGoma and had to be raised by humanhands because her mother lacked experi-

ence and did not know how to care forher properly.

Other important animal imports fol-lowed. In 1970 Somali wild asses andbongos (a species of antelope) came toBasel. At the time they were not regard-ed as a particular attraction, but todaythey have become very rare. The breedingof Somali wild asses proved so successfulthat these animals can now be seen inmany zoos.

In 1972 the vivarium with its unusualarchitectural concept was inaugurated.The visitors’ corridor is 350 meters long,leads below the surface of the pool andshows the ocean depths before returningto dry land. Visitors do not realize thatthey have completed a 360° circle ontheir walk.

The Children’s Zolli opened its doors in1977. Here domestic animals from vari-ous countries can be seen. Children havean opportunity to enter the animal hous-es, touch and feed the animals. Else-where in the zoo this is strictly forbidden.Each year a temporary employee isrecruited for six months to look after theanimal terraces and supervise the childrenwho work here voluntarily. The Children’sZolli helps to develop and promote anunderstanding of animals and explainhow to treat them responsibly.

In the years that followed the zoo wasrepeatedly extended, renovated and con-verted into a landscape park. 2001 sawthe opening of the new Etoscha House.This facility explains the food cycle of theAfrican savannah. Here visitors will findplants, vegetarian and carnivorous ani-mals which come from this part of theworld.

After five years of construction work,the Gamgoas House was opened to visi-tors in 2003. In bushmen’s languagegamgoas means “the place where thelions are.” Here visitors not only seeMbali, the King of the Animals, with histwo wives Okoa and Uma and his sonEisi, but also three adult crocodiles andtwo baby crocodiles, one chameleon anda termite mound probably containingseveral million termites. The GamgoasHouse also contains an interactive natureconservation display.

The new indoor and outdoor rhinocer-os enclosure was inaugurated in 2006and 2008. The facility covers some 2,000square meters and provides a home not

Did you know? Around 6,800 animals live in Basel Zoo today? In an idyllicgreen setting in the very heart of the city! Most of these animals live undernatural conditions in enclosures, terrariums, aquariums, etc. But there aresome which you will not find there because the “Zolli” is also visited by otheranimals. The zoo site receives regular visits from cats, foxes and various spe-cies of birds. Unfortunately usually to the detriment of the exotic species –for instance when the foxes plunder the flamingo nests!

News from the social scene

Tree crocodiles andother animal stories

just for the three rhinos. Shared with thedwarf otters and muntjaks, this reserveconstitutes an innovation. Sociable livingin this way seems to be very much to theliking of the animals. The male rhino canbe observed enjoying a bath while thedwarf otters chase one another acrossthe enclosure.

FutureAs the zoo is located in the city centerand extension is impossible, the Zolli willnot be able to expand in the near future.An Asian biotope facility with the focuson rhinos (existing enclosure) and giantpandas is planned.

The Monkey House is also due to berefurbished and an outdoor facility builtfor primates. The Elephant House will berenovated and expanded. These conver-sion projects are necessary to adapt tomodern principles of zookeeping and willbring visitors closer to the living environ-ment of the animals and their social con-duct.

NewsBaby animals are magnificent! At presentvisitors can observe six vigorous meerkatbabies and watch them finding their wayaround the world outside the cavern inwhich they were born. In the MonkeyHouse you can admire little Garissa, afemale chimpanzee playing with her 30-year-old mother Benga. The newcomerswere born in early April.

What is a tree crocodile?Recently an acquaintance of mine heardthis conversation between a grandmotherand her grandson: “Grandma, what kindof animal is that?” – “That is a tree croc-odile. The crocodile mummy lays eggs.”(That is true!) “When the babies are bornthey climb up into the trees for their ownsafety and wait until they are too big tobe eaten by the adult crocodiles.” (Whichis of course absolute nonsense!)

In fact her grandson simply wanted toknow the name of a chameleon!

Sabine Zeller

NAV Executive

info Juni 2009 35

Further information at:www.zoobasel.ch

Big photo competition A prize for your best snap from“doors and gates”!

Closing date for entries: 15 September 2009

Send us your best photo (max. 3 photos each member)! NAV will award three attractive prizes. Send to: nav.nav@novartis.com

NAV, working for you

info Juni 200936

NAV, working for you

Joining NAV

I would like to join NAV I would like to play an active role in NAV

Address Personnel No. Date of birth

Surname First name

Site Tel. No.

Home address Post code/Place

I was recruited by

Surname First name

Site Tel. No.

Please fill out the application, sign and send to the NAV Secretariat, WRO-1225 P, or fax to 061 697 76 73

Our campaign continues. Many participants have already won anattractive prize. By recruiting just one new member you too willtake part in the next prize draw.

Annual subscription: Fr. 100.–

Members advertise for members

Management members

can also be represented

by NAV

info Juni 2009 37

NAV, working for you

The media has been constantlyfull of bad news on the financialand economic crisis for months,and the impact of the global cri-

sis is slowly but steadily becoming appar-ent here in Switzerland. The (as yet) limit-ed impact of the crisis on the Europeanpharma industry can generally be consid-ered as a stroke of luck, but the overalloutcome is still unclear. Operationalchanges, which are mostly a result of thecurrent recession, are often linked withreduced hours or job cuts. In many cases,it is precisely the people who contributedto successful annual results in the boomyears through their tireless commitmentwho are suddenly faced with change oreven lose their jobs. Employee represen-tatives are essential in these cases toensure that employees are not simplyabandoned to their fate, but that supportis also available.

The Novartis Employee Association(NAV) and its services Active use has been made of the servicesoffered by the NAV in recent years. Theemployees in the NAV Office and the

NAV delegates on the employee repre-sentative councils have been contactedfrequently by associates.

This is not only due to the increase infear and uncertainty – we have also beencontacted with enquiries on a wide vari-ety of other topics. The demand for astrong NAV and all of its services is evi-dent throughout the company.

We receive a lot of correspondencewith suggestions all year round. In orderto continue to meet the needs of ourmembers as best as possible, we need toknow what concerns you in particular,what we should change, and what ser-vices you feel the NAV should be offeringthat it isn’t already. To continuallyimprove our services, the NAV will send a

survey to all members by e-mail this year.As a valued member, we would appreci-ate your input.

The results will show us how the NAVcan cater even better to the demands ofits members in the future.

As you know, the NAV’s motto is “Wekeep our eye on the ball for you.” Youropinion is essential to helping us in thisregard, so please complete the survey. Inline with our motto:– Near to the action – Active on your behalf– Very trustworthy

Roland Hirt

NAV Executive Committee,

Marketing & Services

Strong employee associations arecrucial to professionally represent employees in negotiations with com-panies.

Theme of the year 2009 – Social partnership

Strong employee associations areessential

info Juni 200938

How does this apply to part-time employees? The defi-nition is the same, i.e. part-time employees are consi-dered to have worked additional hours if they exceedtheir agreed weekly number of working hours.

So, for example, a part-time employee who works 50% willhave worked additional hours if he/she works more than 20hours in a week. At Novartis, this is called flexitime.

Additional hours are not the same as overtimeOvertime is defined as any hours worked as an exception beyondthe maximum number of weekly working hours (Art. 12, SwissLabor Law/ArG). Based on a maximum of 45–50 working hoursper week, overtime may not exceed two hours per day, except inemergencies and on nonworking days. Employees receive addi-tional overtime pay for these hours.

As a result, part-time employees (mainly women) are nottreated the same as full-time employees.

Why not?Most employers believe that part-time employees are only enti-tled to overtime pay after exceeding the legally defined maximumworking hours, i.e. 45 hours (or under the terms of the CBA 43-hour regulation). Employers do not want to reduce the maxi-mum working hours for part-time employees in relation to theircontractual working hours.

From the employee representative counsil

Part-time staff and overtime – equal opportunities?

Terminology/explanationAdditional hours are defined as hours worked between 40and 45 hours in a week. This is laid down in the Swiss Codeof Obligations (OR). Additional hours are called flexitime atNovartis.

Overtime is defined as the hours worked beyond 45 hoursin a week. Overtime must be explicitly arranged by linemanagers (or under the terms of the CBA 43-hour regula-tion).

Working hours Additional hours/overtime

Hours per week

Overtime must be explicitly arranged by line managers

45

40

Maximum legal working hours

Overtime

Additional hours

Contractual weekly working hours

NAV, working for you

The issue of overtime pay for part-time staff has been discussed in Switzerland for many years. Additional workinghours are clearly legally defined under Art. 321c of the Swiss Code of Obligations. Employees are considered to haveworked additional hours if work must be performed in excess of their agreed working hours.

info Juni 2009 39

Therefore, a part-time employee with maximum workinghours of 20 hours per week only receives overtime pay afterworking an additional 25 hours in a week.

Employers’ position1. It isn’t covered in the Swiss Labor Law.2. Additional hours have more of an impact on full-time

employees than part-time ones.3. Full-time employees have less flexibility in arranging their free

time.4. The Federal Council has not made any special provisions for

part-time employees.

The NAV strongly believes that there is

a need for action here.

NAV positionEven if there is no specific provision in the Labor Law and LaborOrdinance, we consider it necessary to act in support of part-time employees, who are largely women (87% at Novartis).

In our opinion, the legal provisions no longer correspond totoday’s flexible working time model and points 2 and 3 aboveare an outdated interpretation of part-time work.

Experience shows that women in part-time employment havejust as little opportunity to arrange their free time as full-timeemployees, if not even less. Take, for example, single parents orother associates with additional care duties (e.g. with parentsrequiring care).

Part-time employees often have a second job, meaning thatthe impact of additional hours is identical to that on full-timeemployees.

We believe that the maximum legal working hours for part-timeemployees should be reduced in relation to their contractualworking hours. This would mean, for example, that an employeeworking 60% would be entitled to overtime pay for any timeworked beyond 27 or 30 hours in a week.

As we have a flexible working time model at Novartis, asso-ciates rarely receive overtime pay. Overtime must always be expli-citly arranged by line managers.

The current regulation could raise the question of equal oppor-tunities which, depending on the response, could result in indi-rect discrimination. We therefore believe this issue must be cla-rified as we definitely see room for improvement.

The NAV will continue to campaign on this type of issue for thebenefit of associates. In order to be able to obtain improvementsin legal provisions to the benefit of associates, we need a strongnational network such as the umbrella organization AngestellteSchweiz with the necessary size and political influence.

Davide Lauditi

Member of the NAV Executive Committee

Chairman of the Employee Representative Council Associates

Today two persons are in thenews under the name ofFerrette or Pfirt in German: theCount of Monaco who bears

the title Comte de Ferrette (Graf von Pfirt)and the “cheese whisperer” BernardAntony. The former capital of theSundgau is said to have been founded inthe year 1105 when Hohenpfirt castlewas built by the first count Frédéric deFerrette. After his eldest daughter Jeannemarried the Habsburg ruler Albert II in1324, the county passed to the Habs-burgs whose reign did not end here until1648. History is relived at the “FêtesMédiévales”, or medieval festivities, whichare held once every two years alternatingwith those of Saint-Ursanne (in the SwissJura/July 2009).

My first memories of Ferrette arelinked to the brown bus operated byTransports Citroën; it ran from Ferrette tothe French railway station in Basel. Thatimage in my mind’s eye closely resemblesa film by Jacques Tati: the overladen buswith luggage on the roof and a ladder atthe rear. When this link was suspended in1973 or thereabouts, I wanted to experi-ence the same feeling again but arrivedone day too late in Pfirt. I can still feel mysore feet after walking back the 12 km toRodersdorf. Today we can park our carsdirectly in Ferrette or nearby. The routestakes us from the car park in front of St-Bernard Church and then up steeplybetween the houses to the Hôtel de Ville

info Juni 200940

Things to see in Basel, the Regio and Interregio – 11th contribution from Alsace, France

Ferrette, the former capital of theSundgau

Ferrette, also known as Pfirt, lies in anarrow valley in the Jura mountains,12 km from the Swiss border in theSundgau. Cyclists, cheese lovers andconnoisseurs of the princely Houseof Monaco will probably be familiarwith this little town already. Foreveryone else, an excursion brings amedieval experience and interestingpanoramas.

NAV, working for you

info Juni 2009 41

or Town Hall from which we can beginthe direct ascent to the ruined castle ofHohenpfirt. The stairways lead up to theBurgweg which takes us to the viewingplatform in the castle. In fine weather vis-itors can look out over the upper Rhineplain far away to the Black Forest, givingfree rein to their thoughts. Directlybeneath us lie the houses densely packedbelow the castle hill. Behind us we seethe green hills of the Jura. Many hikingroutes are well marked from the castlehill. We chose the trail leading to theGrotte des Nains or Dwarfs’ Grotto. Viathe Heideflüh viewpoint which lies on arocky outcrop to the east of the ruinedcastle we followed the route to the grotto.

After resting at lunch on a viewpointon the cliffs above the Grotte des Nains,we walked down through the wood tothe grotto.

The walls of rock constrict our routeand at the foot of one such wall we comeacross the little cave in the rocks. Un-fortunately we have not brought torcheswith us to explore the undergroundworld. But the information provided onthe rocks immediately in front of thegrotto is interesting and a key to a differ-ent world, especially for children. The

return journey leads us around the castlehill to the barracks from which we reachthe eastern entrance of Ferrette and gostraight to the upper part of the town.Meanwhile, the sun has changed its posi-tion in the sky and its rays are shining onthe row of houses facing the mountain.Picturesque corners and several finelydecorated houses can be admired in thebrilliant afternoon sun. The gardenrestaurants are an attractive venue, whilethe tunes played by the bells of thechurch tower clock give us a discreetreminder that it is time to start out on ourjourney home. After a pleasant stay, weleave Ferrette and cast a glance backfrom the southern heights onto the littletown and the castle towering over it.

Description of the routeFerrette is some 30 km south ofMulhouse, around 25 km west of Basel.We chose the road via Leymen, Wolsch-willer, Sondersdorf and reached Ferrettefrom the south across the hill.

The hiking trail from Rodersdorf toFerrette is marked out over around 12 km.The routes leading up to the ruinedHohenpfirt castle in Ferrette are wellidentified and marked. Many other trails

lead to the Grotte des Nains and otherdestinations through romantic rock for-mations and woodland.

Hiking mapsClub Vosgien Map N7/8 “Sud Alsace/Nord Franche-Comté/Mulhouse/Masevaux/Belfort/Montbéliard“ 1:50,000

Swiss National Map Sheet 213TLaufental-Sundgau-Wiesental 1:50,000

Peter Bernauer

ImportantThe routes up to the ruined castle,the Grotte des Nains and aroundFerrette pass through woodlandsometimes over loose stones; goodwalking shoes are essential for suchexcursions! Hikers need to have asure footing, especially on the smal-ler trails.