Mission Statement
1. How does the Roche Employees' Association (AVR) represent employee interests at company level?
The basis for relations between employers and employee representatives is the Basic Agreement and the mandate resulting from the ballot conducted in accordance with the Federal Information and Consultation of Employees in the Workplace Act (Mitwirkungsgesetz, MWG).
The AVR represents the interests of all employees with individual employment contracts in collective dealings with company management.
It is the AVR's declared aim to maintain a constructive relationship, based on mutual respect, between the association and the company.
The AVR:
- maintains regular contact with the HR department and liaises directly with Group management and other sections of line management
- discusses economic and social issues affecting employees' interests
- presents employee concerns
- is an active social partner and makes specific proposals with a view to improving industrial relations
- represents the interests of Roche employees in annual salary negotiations
- through its representatives on the boards of trustees of the Roche pension funds, develops solutions on other industrial relations matters such as the pension fund, the Roche Employee Profit-Sharing Plan, etc.
- discusses the effects on employees of reorganisations and negotiates social plans with company management
2. How can the AVR help with problems in the workplace?
Site representatives and AVR section chairmen are the initial point of contact for employees with concerns.
With the agreement of employees, the AVR acts as a mediator, representing their interests in discussions with line managers and the HR department.
If necessary, the AVR may engage the services of internal organisations (e.g. Counselling and Social Service, Company Medical Service) or external advisers.
3. What does the AVR do to further employee interests?
The AVR monitors the economic and social environment. It takes a proactive interest in the following issues
- securing Basel as an industrial location
- salary policies
- employee-friendly working arrangements
- exchanges of ideas with other employee organisations
4. Where is the AVR represented?
The AVR council nominates representatives to various bodies, including
- Boards of trustees of the Roche pension funds
- Investments committee
- Roche Employee Profit-Sharing Plan
- Ida Barell Foundation
- Proposal Review Committee (Vorschlagsprüfungskommission)
- Occupational Safety and Environmental Protection Committee (KGU)
5. Who else does the AVR liaise with?
The AVR works together with the Works Council (Arbeiterkommission) and maintains contacts with employee organisations at other companies.
The president of the AVR is a member of the Roche Europe Forum (association of all employee representatives of Roche companies in Europe).
6. How does the AVR keep its members informed?
The AVR reports regularly on its activities and plans and comments on specific issues by means of
- the AVR's official publication organ, the "Newsletter"
- the AVR homepage on the Internet (www.avroche.ch)
- information events
- Annual General Meeting
7. What else does the AVR do?
The AVR provides a number of attractive services for its members, ranging from personal counselling and general information to retail discounts and various social and cultural events.
8. How does the AVR Committee work?
The Committee meets at regular intervals. It sets up subcommittees and working groups which are managed by designated members of the council. The Executive Committee takes care of urgent, day-to-day administration.
All references to persons apply to both genders.
Contact and Information:
Basel 061 688 64 21
Rotkreuz 041 799 22 11