The IUF's Swiss affiliate Unia has signed the first agreement in the Swiss hospitality industry establishing the union right to workplace access and to information. The agreement is also a milestone because it does not only apply to directly employed workers, but to franchised restaurants as well.
The agreement affirms the obligations of a parent company towards employees working for franchisees using their brand, an important principle which is set out in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
The agreement was reached thanks to the union's victory in a 5-year fight in Geneva for retroactive payment of wages "Swiss Unia wins 5-year battle with Domino's Pizza" [1].
The US-based pizza chain employs nearly 250 people in 12 stores in Switzerland and is planning to open 25 more restaurants within 5 years.