Benefits for OCST Members: Service Guide (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Legal assistance on contracts, payroll and social insurance.
• Specific advice from the Border Office on taxation and permits.
• Discounts on insurance, banks and leisure time for members.

Key facts

• What: Trade union services and OCST conventions
• When: Constant validity for subscribers
• Where: Chiasso, Mendrisio, Bioggio, Locarno and Lugano offices
• Who: OCST Syndicate
• Amount: Variable discounts (10%, 15%, 20%, 9%, 4%)

The OCST offers frontier workers operating in the Canton of Ticino a structured support network to address the complexities of the cross-border employment relationship. Trade union membership provides access to targeted legal and juridical assistance, covering crucial issues such as employment disputes, payroll analysis and social insurance management, including AVS, AI, LADI and LPP. Associates can also benefit from specific advice on illness, injury, family allowances, taxation and leases.

The role of the Border Office

A key pillar of the OCST offering is the Border Office, which provides detailed information on cross-border tax law and social security. This service is essential for those who have to juggle work permits, occupational security, unemployment benefits and the complex tax regulations that regulate work between Italy and Switzerland.

Operational details

Life as a cross-border worker requires careful management of resources and insurance coverage. OCST members can take advantage of numerous agreements that positively impact the family budget. Regarding the insurance sector, the union has negotiated significant discounts across various branches. For instance, a 10% discount is available on private civil liability, household contents, building, and motor vehicle insurance. Furthermore, 10% discounts are available on specific supplementary insurance policies, with more details accessible on the Helsana website, along with a 9% discount on certain complementary insurance plans. It is important to inform your insurer of your union membership to correctly activate these benefits.

…

Key points

To benefit from these advantages, the first step is to formalize your union membership via the official website www.ocst.ch. The procedure for requesting special offers often requires filling out specific forms, available directly online on the OCST portal. It is essential to always verify the access methods for each individual benefit: for some discounts, such as those at restaurants or shops, simply presenting your OCST card on-site is sufficient, while for banking or insurance offers, the use of promotional codes or prior notification to your consultant is required. Managing an optimal social security or tax situation also involves a personalized analysis offered by partner organizations, which allows you to evaluate your position regarding pension pillars and health coverage tax calculator.

…