Parliament in Bern is setting up a fight with the cantons over minimum wages.
In a narrow vote, 95 to 93, the Council of States voted that nationally agreed pay rates with unions should take precedence over cantonally set minimum wages.
Those who believe the national rates should override the cantons say the system of pay negotiation in this country has kept the industrial peace for the last 100 years.
But forcing national rates means the will of the people who voted for a minimum wage is overridden. This is especially relevant in Geneva, Jura and Neuchâtel which have minimum wage rates following a vote.
It’s now up to the Federal Council on whether to use its power to force national rates.
But the unions say they will fight the move and defend cantonal minimum rates – that means a vote.
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