Appointments for part-time municipal teachers too

Context

In brief

• Municipal teachers with employment under 50% may be appointed
• Legislative amendment comes into force on 1 August 2026
• VPOD union calls for clarity from municipalities

Key facts

• What: Abolition of the 50% threshold for teacher appointments
• When: 1 August 2026
• Where: Canton of Ticino
• Who: State Council, Municipalities, VPOD
• Amount: Not specified

A recent cantonal legislative amendment could significantly change the working conditions of numerous teachers active in municipal schools in Ticino. The abolition of the 50% limit as a minimum threshold for obtaining an appointment, provided for in Article 16 of the Organic Law of the School of the Republic and Canton of Ticino (LORD), opens up new possibilities for job stability. This normative novelty, already announced by the State Council, will come into force on 1 August 2026 and will be applied to cantonal teaching staff from the 2026/2027 school year.

Practical implications

For municipal teachers, the competence for transforming assignments of less than 50% into appointments falls directly to the municipalities. The State Council has clarified that this decision does not fall within its remit, responding to a parliamentary question submitted by deputy Marco Chiesa (Lega dei Ticinesi) on 15 March 2023. However, according to various reports collected by the VPOD union, this possibility would not yet have been applied in various municipal realities.

For example, in the municipality of Lugano, around 120 teachers with assignments of less than 50% could benefit from the legislative amendment. In Bellinzona, the number could be around 90, while in Locarno around 70 teachers are estimated to be affected. These figures, although indicative, highlight the significant impact of the new legislation.

Actions requested from municipalities

The VPOD union has requested that municipalities clarify two fundamental aspects: indicate how many teachers could benefit from the legislative amendment and proceed, in view of the next school year, to the conversion of assignments into appointments. This request represents not only an adaptation to the new regulatory framework, but also a concrete sign of recognition of the work carried out daily by teaching staff.

Job stability

The appointment ensures fundamental guarantees, including the maintenance of working hours and greater protection in the event of dismissal. This step represents an important recognition of the work of teachers and greater job stability for those working in municipal schools.

Operational checklist for municipalities

1. Identification of teachers: Verify the number of teachers with assignments of less than 50%. 2. Resource analysis: Assess the financial resources necessary for the conversion of assignments. 3. Communication: Inform the teachers concerned of the new possibilities offered by the legislative amendment. 4. Administrative procedures: Initiate the necessary procedures for the conversion of assignments into appointments. 5. Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of the new legislation and respond to any questions from teachers.

Comparison of practical scenarios

• Current scenario: A teacher with a 40% assignment is not entitled to an appointment and operates with less job stability.
• Future scenario: The same teacher, thanks to the legislative amendment, will be able to be appointed, obtaining greater stability and protection.

Conclusion

The legislative amendment represents a significant step towards greater job stability for municipal teachers in Ticino. However, to ensure effective implementation, it is essential that municipalities act promptly and clearly, providing all interested parties with the necessary information.

Operational details

Analysis of the implications

The legislative amendment, which came into force on January 1, 2024, represents a significant step towards greater job stability for municipal teachers in Ticino. Until now, many teachers with assignments of less than 50% did not have access to the same protections guaranteed to their full-time colleagues. With the abolition of the 50% limit, the possibility of extending these protections to a greater number of teachers opens up. According to preliminary estimates, around 300 teachers could benefit from this change, with a significant impact on municipalities such as Lugano, Bellinzona, and Locarno.

Comparison with the previous situation

Before this amendment, teachers with assignments of less than 50% were often considered as part-time staff without the right to appointment. This meant they did not have the same guarantees of maintaining their working hours and protection in case of dismissal. For example, a teacher with a 40% assignment in Lugano was not entitled to a dismissal indemnity, while a colleague with a 60% assignment was. The new legislation radically changes this situation, offering greater job security.

Possible scenarios

With the entry into force of the new legislation, the municipalities will have to carefully evaluate how many teachers could benefit from the amendment. This process will require a review of current assignments and planning for the next school year. Teachers concerned should contact their municipalities to obtain specific information on how to proceed.

📊 Operational checklist for municipalities:

• Review of current assignments
• Identification of eligible teachers
• Planning of necessary resources
• Communication to concerned teachers
• Update of employment contracts

💡 Practical example: In Bellinzona, around 50 teachers with assignments of less than 50% could be appointed. The municipality has already started reviewing the contracts and expects to complete the process by June 2024. Concerned teachers will receive an official communication by the end of April.

Recognition of work

The request by the VPOD union underlines the importance of recognizing the work done by municipal teachers. The appointment not only aligns the situation with the new regulatory framework but also represents a concrete sign of appreciation for their daily commitment. This recognition can have a positive impact on the morale and motivation of the teaching staff.

⚠️ Attention: Teachers with assignments of less than 50% must verify with their municipality whether they are eligible for appointment. Some municipalities may require additional documentation or have specific procedures.

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Key points

What to do now

For municipal teachers affected by the new legislation, it is crucial to act promptly. Here are the detailed steps to follow:

1. Contact your Municipality: Teachers should contact the relevant office of their Municipality to obtain specific information about the appointment procedure. For example, in Lugano, the relevant office is the Personnel Service, while in Bellinzona it is the Human Resources Sector.

2. Check eligibility: The Municipality will assess whether the teacher meets the requirements for appointment based on the new legislation. The requirements include a minimum employment of 40% (previously it was 50%) and a work contract of at least 12 months. For example, a teacher with a 45% contract in Locarno may now be eligible for appointment.

3. Submit the documentation: Teachers will need to submit the necessary documentation for the appointment request, which includes:

• Copy of the work contract
• Updated curriculum vitae
• Degree or diploma certificate
• Any previous service certificates

4. Wait for the decision: The Municipality will communicate the decision regarding the appointment within 30 days of the submission of the documentation. If the outcome is positive, the teacher will receive an appointment letter with the working conditions.

Useful tools

For further information and to calculate the tax implications of the appointment, teachers can use the salary calculator available on the website. This tool helps to better understand the financial consequences of the new work situation. For example, a teacher with a 45% employment in Mendrisio may see an annual net salary increase of approximately 2,000 CHF thanks to the appointment.

Operational checklist

• Contact the Municipality's personnel office
• Check eligibility requirements
• Gather and submit the necessary documentation
• Wait for the Municipality's decision

Comparisons between practical scenarios

Before the new legislation, a teacher with a 45% employment in Lugano could not be appointed and had to settle for a fixed-term contract. Now, with the new legislation, the same teacher can be appointed and benefit from greater job stability and extended protections.

Conclusion

The new legislation, which came into force on January 1, 2023, represents an important opportunity for municipal teachers in Ticino. With greater job stability and extended protections, teachers can better focus on their work, providing a quality educational service. It is essential that Municipalities act promptly to ensure that all interested teachers can benefit from this change.

"This new legislation is a significant step forward for municipal teachers, offering them greater security and stability." - A representative of the Department of Education of the Canton of Ticino

📊 Concrete example: A teacher with a 42% employment in Bellinzona, who could not be appointed before, can now be appointed and benefit from an annual net salary increase of approximately 1,800 CHF.

💡 Tip: Teachers interested should contact their Municipality as soon as possible to start the appointment procedure and benefit from the new advantages.

⚠️ Attention: The documentation must be submitted within 60 days of the publication of the new legislation in the Official Bulletin of the Canton of Ticino.

Source: tio.ch