The collective agreement for USI administrative staff renewed

The OCST, SIT, VPOD trade unions, the Association of USI Personnel (APUSI) and the University Management formally signed the new version of the Organisational Regulations for the administrative, library, technical and auxiliary staff of Università della Svizzera italiana - Collective Labour Agreement (CCL) on 18 January. The renewed CCL came into force retroactively on 1 January 2024. 

The main changes, which are an improvement on the previous version (dating back to 2019), concern: salary classes and increments; rules, procedures and protections in the area of measures, terminations and litigation; work-life balance through flexible forms of work; continuing education; parental leave, sick leave and other benefits.

"We are happy and proud that in a globally complex economic context, we have been able to recognise the fundamental work that is carried out by USI's services by providing better conditions, not only in terms of wages," notes USI Rector Luisa Lambertini. "With the new CCL, we are improving our care for employees, making our company more attractive as an employer," emphasises USI Council President Monica Duca Widmer. 

The APUSI Committee, Association of USI Personnel and affiliated institutes, on its part, is "very satisfied with the improvements we have been able to bring to our colleagues". "This renewal marks a significant milestone in a unique situation. Thanks to the positive and collaborative atmosphere, all parties involved were able to reach a satisfactory solution," notes Giorgio Fonio, OCST. "The parties aimed to propose favourable working and salary conditions. In a period of labour shortages, this is an important message to the economy," points out Mattia Bosco, SIT. "I see the contract renewal as a positive step towards promoting social progress. However, it's important to remember that this is just the beginning and not the end goal. By working together with social partners and promoting workers' rights, we can democratically and peacefully evolve to face the challenges that the future of work will inevitably bring," comments Stefano Testa, VPOD.     
  
The negotiating agreement was reached in November last year at the end of two years of negotiations on the basis of detailed APUSI proposals. This was followed in order by approval by the APUSI members, approval by the assembly of all administrative, library, technical and auxiliary staff (both by a very large majority), ratification by the University Council, endorsement by the trade unions, and lastly, the signing between the contracting parties: trade unions and APUSI as representatives of the employees, USI Management as representatives of the employer.   

You can find the CCL, along with its related regulations, on this web page for your reference.