Coop raises fees by 2 percent and distributes shopping coupons

Coop employees are just below the Swiss average: The Basel retailer will raise wages by 2 percent next year, according to a communiqué. According to a recent UBS study, Swiss workers can expect an average pay rise of 2.2 percent next year. Thus, Coop remains just below average for the economy as a whole.

Coop announced Monday that employees with incomes of up to 4,500 francs receive an overall pay increase of 2 percent. Fees above this will be adjusted individually.

Shopping coupons are criticized

In addition, shopping vouchers of up to 800 francs were given to all employees, depending on their workload. Cumulatively, this equates to an increase of at least 3.3 percent for lower-paid workers for 2023, Coop said. Coop agreed with the Social Partner Association Employees Association (VdAC) on this issue.

Other unions involved in the negotiations – Unia and Syna – describe the outcome of the wage negotiations as “inadequate”. Shopping coupons don’t belong in wage negotiations, in a communiqué they write: “Coupons are valued as they are by employees each year: a sales-related gift that comes with pay raises.” Unions criticize that this will not lead to a sustainable improvement in wages.

Migros and Aldi employees still waiting

Despite criticism from unions: With the planned pay rise, Coop workers must maintain their purchasing power. Economists expect consumer prices to rise between 2.8 and 3 percent this year and 1.5 to 2.7 percent next year.

The communique states that Coop has increased wages within the cooperative by about 9 percent since 2013. This is despite partially negative inflation.

Coop became the first major retailer to announce results for the 2023 wage period. Migros and Aldi Suisse have not yet announced the results of the negotiations. Lidl is holding its annual fee round in March. (SDA/sfa)