Photo: SEV
The Swiss transport workers' union SEV is vehemently protesting the actions of DB Cargo's subsidiary in Switzerland (formerly Brunner Railway Services), which laid off 20% of its staff in Muttenz just before Christmas and without prior notice, including two members of the employee representation.
for the lost orders, which "due to operational reasons" although some may not be available for several months. The Swiss Transport Workers' Union (SEV) calls the wave of layoffs a scandal, especially because the company is deliberately staying below the threshold of ten employees. Consultation with employee representatives would have been mandatory from precisely this number of affected employees (Swiss Code of Obligations, Art. 335f). "This is malicious," says SEV President Matthias Hartwich. "It must be concluded that the company wants to lay off staff under flimsy pretexts, possibly to complete future orders with cheaper temporary workers. This approach is an insult to the staff," Hartwich asserts.
M. Hartwich
Without consulting employee representatives, DB Cargo Switzerland has decided to lay off 9 of its approximately 40 employees at the Muttenz location. Those affected were presented with a fait accompli shortly before Christmas. The layoffs are justified by the loss of a major customer. This justification is all the more surprising, however, because new customers have already been secured. At the same time, the workforce is suffering from overwork due to staff shortages. "If we look at the various measures the company is planning, it's simply about cutting staff," says SEV President Matthias Hartwich. Until last year, the DB Cargo subsidiary in Switzerland employed 124 people who, according to the company, operated 4,850 trains annually, transporting 3.95 million tons of goods across Switzerland
Hartwich: “The company is doing what the worst bosses in the Wild West style of the 19th century do: It's putting termination letters under the Christmas tree for those affected, without communicating or negotiating with employee representatives, without a social plan or discussions, and without considering short-time work. DB Cargo Switzerland is acting just as haphazardly as its parent company, DB Cargo in Germany: Mass layoffs are taking place there, and nobody wants to say what will happen to the company in 2025.”
The SEV demands an immediate halt to the wave of layoffs and productive talks with the unions and employee representatives.
