Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday
Efforts to prevent SWISS pilots strike, sanctions for energy abusers, and other news in our roundup on Friday.
Goodbye summer, welcome fall
Today is the so-called Autumnal Equinox, which marks the start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, including in Switzerland.
Given the summer heatwave that reigned (rather than rained) in Switzerland much of the summer, many people are probably longing for the cooler temperatures and golden foliage typical of the fall season.
Image by Valentin from Pixabay
SWISS proposes out-of-court arbitration to the pilots' association
In order to avoid a strike by SWISS pilots in the middle of autumn school vacations on October 17th, and as long-winded negotiations between the pilots’ union and the airline are not productive, SWISS has proposed to settle the differences in arbitration.
“After more than two years of intensive negotiations, a new collective labour agreement has still not been concluded. The aim of the out-of-court arbitration is to work out a non-binding recommendation over the next few weeks”, the airline said in a statement on Thursday.
It added that Switzerland’s flagship airline “is convinced of a common solution in the sense of a good Swiss compromise”.
The pilot’s union, Aeropers, has not yet replied nor rescinded its threat to strike.
READ MORE: SWISS pilots threaten an October strike action
Cantons ask federal government to set fines for energy abusers
On September 1st, the Federal Council presented its action plan to avoid energy shortages, including lowering the indoor heating to 19 degrees.
In a letter to the Federal Council, cantons are asking for uniform sanctions across the country in the event that federal rules are not respected.
They want clarifications about who will have the responsibility for the control and issuing of fines in case of non-compliance.
The cantons are concerned that no uniform rules will exist, but instead different regional measures will be in place, as was the case during the Covid pandemic.
Pfizer seeks approval for a bivalent Covid vaccine
The manufacturer has submitted an application to the drug regulator, Swissmedic, for authorisation of its bivalent vaccine against coronavirus to be used as a second booster.
The new vaccine is “intended to stimulate production of specific neutralising antibodies against Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5”, the strains that are currently predominant in Switzerland and elsewhere", Swissmedic said.
In August, the regulator has approved the use of Moderna’s bivalent vaccine which targets Omicron subvariants. It should be available for use from October 10th.
READ MORE: Switzerland to start dual-strain Covid boosters in October
Best Swiss cheese to be selected today
The Valais community of Val de Bagnes is holding The Swiss Cheese Championships to determine the best variety.
Cheeses in 32 categories are vying for the coveted title of Best Cheese in an event that brings together 300 producers from all regions of Switzerland.
To prove that Swiss cheeses are loved all over the world, the winner will be determined by an international panel. Aside from Swiss jurors, there are also some from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Italy and even Japan.
Each one of them has a very tough job of tasting 40 cheeses for five to six hours before choosing the winner later today.
READ MORE: Ten varieties of cheese you should be able to identify if you live in Switzerland
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
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Goodbye summer, welcome fall
Today is the so-called Autumnal Equinox, which marks the start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, including in Switzerland.
Given the summer heatwave that reigned (rather than rained) in Switzerland much of the summer, many people are probably longing for the cooler temperatures and golden foliage typical of the fall season.
Image by Valentin from Pixabay
SWISS proposes out-of-court arbitration to the pilots' association
In order to avoid a strike by SWISS pilots in the middle of autumn school vacations on October 17th, and as long-winded negotiations between the pilots’ union and the airline are not productive, SWISS has proposed to settle the differences in arbitration.
“After more than two years of intensive negotiations, a new collective labour agreement has still not been concluded. The aim of the out-of-court arbitration is to work out a non-binding recommendation over the next few weeks”, the airline said in a statement on Thursday.
It added that Switzerland’s flagship airline “is convinced of a common solution in the sense of a good Swiss compromise”.
The pilot’s union, Aeropers, has not yet replied nor rescinded its threat to strike.
READ MORE: SWISS pilots threaten an October strike action
Cantons ask federal government to set fines for energy abusers
On September 1st, the Federal Council presented its action plan to avoid energy shortages, including lowering the indoor heating to 19 degrees.
In a letter to the Federal Council, cantons are asking for uniform sanctions across the country in the event that federal rules are not respected.
They want clarifications about who will have the responsibility for the control and issuing of fines in case of non-compliance.
The cantons are concerned that no uniform rules will exist, but instead different regional measures will be in place, as was the case during the Covid pandemic.
Pfizer seeks approval for a bivalent Covid vaccine
The manufacturer has submitted an application to the drug regulator, Swissmedic, for authorisation of its bivalent vaccine against coronavirus to be used as a second booster.
The new vaccine is “intended to stimulate production of specific neutralising antibodies against Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5”, the strains that are currently predominant in Switzerland and elsewhere", Swissmedic said.
In August, the regulator has approved the use of Moderna’s bivalent vaccine which targets Omicron subvariants. It should be available for use from October 10th.
READ MORE: Switzerland to start dual-strain Covid boosters in October
Best Swiss cheese to be selected today
The Valais community of Val de Bagnes is holding The Swiss Cheese Championships to determine the best variety.
Cheeses in 32 categories are vying for the coveted title of Best Cheese in an event that brings together 300 producers from all regions of Switzerland.
To prove that Swiss cheeses are loved all over the world, the winner will be determined by an international panel. Aside from Swiss jurors, there are also some from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Italy and even Japan.
Each one of them has a very tough job of tasting 40 cheeses for five to six hours before choosing the winner later today.
READ MORE: Ten varieties of cheese you should be able to identify if you live in Switzerland
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
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