Collective Bargaining Agreement (GAV/CCT) in Switzerland
A Gesamtarbeitsvertrag (GAV) or Convention collective de travail (CCT) is a collective agreement between employer associations and trade unions that sets minimum working conditions for an industry or company. It overrides individual employment contracts wherever it provides better terms.
What Is a GAV/CCT?
A GAV is a collective contract under Art. 356 OR between one or more employer associations and one or more trade unions. It establishes minimum conditions for employment relationships in an industry or company and takes precedence over the individual contract wherever it is more favourable (principle of favourability).
Which Sectors Have a GAV?
Many Swiss industries have a sector-wide GAV declared generally binding (allgemeinverbindlich erklärt, AVE). Key sectors include: construction (LMV), hospitality (L-GAV), retail, cleaning, healthcare and social work, temporary staffing, engineering and electronics (MEM), and nursing. The full list of binding GAVs is maintained by SECO (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs).
What Does a GAV Regulate?
A GAV may comprehensively cover: minimum wages and salary bands, working hours and overtime rules, vacation entitlement (often 5 weeks vs. the statutory 4), notice periods, 13th month salary, social insurance and fringe benefits, training, and family allowances. GAV provisions are minimum standards; individual contracts may exceed them but not fall below.
How Do I Know If a GAV Applies?
Check your employment contract (sector description, GAV reference), ask your HR department, or contact the relevant trade union. SECO publishes a public database of all generally binding GAVs. For companies that are members of an employer association with a GAV, the GAV applies even without explicit contract reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'generally binding' mean for a GAV?
When a GAV is declared generally binding (AVE) by the Federal Council or a cantonal authority, it applies to all companies in the relevant sector and region – even those not members of the employer association.
Does the GAV override my individual employment contract?
Yes, where the GAV is more favourable (principle of favourability). Your contract may provide better conditions than the GAV but cannot fall below it.
Am I bound by a GAV as an employee?
If your employer is subject to a GAV (by association membership or AVE declaration), yes. GAV provisions apply automatically; you do not need to be a union member.