Health coalition: 'Popular will trampled'

Di Valerie Linc ·

The healthcare workers' coalition criticizes the National Council's decision not to reduce working hours and improve nurses' conditions.

Contesto

In brief - The National Council does not reduce nurses' working hours - The Healthcare Coalition accuses the government of ignoring the popular will - Requests: fewer working hours, more staff, and night shift allowances ## Key facts - What: Decision by the National Council - When: 28 April 2026 - Where: Bern - Who: Healthcare workers' coalition - Amount: 61% of citizens in favor of the popular initiative The National Council has decided not to reduce the maximum working hours for nursing staff, nor to approve other improvements to working conditions proposed by the Federal Council. This decision has been strongly criticized by the Healthcare Workers' Coalition, which described the move as a "trampling of the popular will." The popular initiative on the matter, approved on 28 November 2021 with 61% of the vote, aimed to improve the working conditions of nurses. The Coalition has requested a significant reduction in working hours, a sufficient staff-to-patient ratio to ensure quality care, an increase in allowances for night work, weekends, and public holidays. Furthermore, it has called for an obligation for all employers in the healthcare sector to respect at least the collective labor agreement and the cantonal laws in force. The Coalition has also emphasized the need for adequate funding to implement these measures. ### Implications for cross-border workers Cross-border workers employed in the healthcare sector in Ticino could be directly affected by these decisions. The lack of improvements in working conditions could influence the quality of healthcare services and worker satisfaction. Furthermore, the National Council's decision could have repercussions on the labor market, affecting the availability of jobs for cross-border workers. The Coalition has appeale...

Dettagli operativi

Analysis of the requests of the Coalition of healthcare personnel in Ticino The Coalition of healthcare personnel in Ticino has presented a series of specific requests to improve the working conditions of nurses, with a particular focus on local realities such as Lugano, Bellinzona, and Locarno. These include a significant reduction in working hours, sufficient staff-to-patient ratios to ensure quality care, and an increase in allowances for night work, weekends, and public holidays. ### Reduction of working hours A reduction in working hours could have a significant impact on the quality of life of nurses. Currently, nurses in Ticino work an average of 42 hours per week, with shifts that can last up to 12 consecutive hours. A reduction to 38 hours per week, as requested by the Coalition, could improve the well-being of workers and, consequently, the quality of care provided. 📊 Operational checklist for reducing working hours: - Assessment of current workloads - Analysis of staffing needs for each department - Implementation of shorter and more sustainable shifts - Training of staff to optimize resources ### Increase in allowances An increase in allowances for night work, weekends, and public holidays is another important request from the Coalition. Currently, allowances for night work are about 25% higher than the base salary, while for public holidays and weekends the increase is 50%. The Coalition proposes an increase of 30% for night work and 60% for public holidays and weekends. 💡 Concrete example: - A nurse who currently earns 4,000 CHF per month with a night shift would earn 5,200 CHF with the proposed increase. - A nurse who works during a public holiday would earn 6,000 CHF with the proposed increase. ### Implementation of measures The Coalition has emp...

Punti chiave

Concrete actions for cross-border workers Cross-border workers employed in the healthcare sector in Ticino can take several concrete steps to improve their working conditions. Here are some detailed steps they can follow: 1. Learn about the Coalition's demands: Cross-border workers can consult the official website of the Healthcare Workers' Coalition to learn about specific demands, such as a 5% salary increase and adjustment of overtime allowances. For example, a nurse currently earning CHF 6,500 gross per month could see an increase to CHF 6,825. 2. Participate in protests and demonstrations: Cross-border workers can join demonstrations organized in Ticino, such as the one scheduled in Lugano on October 15, 2023. Active participation can put pressure on the government to improve working conditions. 3. Contact political representatives: Cross-border workers can write to their national councillors, such as representatives of the Socialist Party or the Radical-Liberal Party, to express their concerns. For example, a cross-border worker from Mendrisio could contact national councillor Stefano Romano. 4. Join unions and associations: Cross-border workers can join the Swiss Italian Nurses' Union (SISI) or other associations. SISI offers legal support and collective bargaining, as demonstrated in 2022 when it secured a salary increase for nurses in Bellinzona. 5. Use calculation tools: Cross-border workers can use tools like the salary calculator on the "Frontaliers.ch" website to estimate the impact of new working conditions. For example, a nurse with a gross salary of CHF 7,000 could see a 5% reduction in working hours, resulting in a net salary of CHF 5,250. ### Useful tools Cross-border workers can use various tools to plan and manage their finances. For example,...

Punti chiave

{"q":"What are the main demands of the healthcare workers' coalition?","a":"The healthcare workers' coalition has requested a significant reduction in working hours, sufficient staff-to-patient ratios to ensure quality care, an increase in allowances for night work, weekends, and public holidays, and the obligation for all employers in the healthcare sector to respect at least the collective labor agreement and the cantonal laws in force."},{"q":"How can cross-border workers influence government decisions?","a":"Cross-border workers can participate in protests and demonstrations, contact their political representatives, join unions and associations, and use calculation tools to estimate the impact of new working conditions on their salary."},{"q":"What tools can cross-border workers use to manage their finances?","a":"Cross-border workers can use a [salary calculator to estimate their net income and a health insurance comparator to find the best coverage for their needs."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main demands of the healthcare workers' coalition?
The healthcare workers' coalition has requested a significant reduction in working hours, sufficient staff-to-patient ratios to ensure quality care, an increase in allowances for night work, weekends, and public holidays, and the obligation for all employers in the healthcare sector to respect at least the collective labor agreement and the cantonal laws in force.
How can cross-border workers influence government decisions?
Cross-border workers can participate in protests and demonstrations, contact their political representatives, join unions and associations, and use calculation tools to estimate the impact of new working conditions on their salary.
What tools can cross-border workers use to manage their finances?
Cross-border workers can use a [salary calculator](nav:calculator) to estimate their net income and a [health insurance comparator](nav:health) to find the best coverage for their needs.

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