When the Zurzach Thermal Baths close their doors at 10.00 pm and the last guests head home, feeling relaxed, Bekri Uka’s working day begins. As the thermal baths fall silent, a different rhythm comes to life – that of the night shift.
BEKRI UKA
Born and raised in Kosovo, he began his professional career with an apprenticeship as an auto painter. Bekri came to Switzerland 16 years ago and has felt at home here ever since. He has been working at the Therme Zurzach facility for eight years, first as an employee, then as a deputy, and now as site manager. Bekri particularly enjoys working the night shift because it gives him the flexibility to be there for his family during the day.
“I arrive around 9:00 p.m. and do my first inspection round,” says the 39-year-old. “Then my team arrives; we discuss what needs to be done and divide up the tasks. Everyone knows exactly what needs to be done: from the locker rooms and restrooms to the nine different pools and 14 saunas and steam rooms. The thermal bath is a multifaceted and demanding facility.” And so it’s no surprise that the hours leading up to dawn are precisely timed: for example, the water is drained from the pools at 11:00 p.m., everything must be cleaned by 3:30 a.m. - then the refilling begins. “Nothing can go wrong,” says Bekri. “For all of us, that means working at full speed until morning.”
Pure manual labor instead of robotic assistance
Automation? Not a chance. “Everything here is cleaned by hand,” explains Bekri. “The metal walls of the pools, in particular, require care and experience; that’s where real manual labor and teamwork come into play.”
Bekri is on the job until 7:00, sometimes 8:00 in the morning. What does it take to keep everything under control at night? “Organization, routine, and calm - but also flexibility,” he says. “We’ve been a well-coordinated team for years.” He especially appreciates the silence of the night: “No hustle and bustle, no chaos, no people. I can fully concentrate on my work. And at the end, I see what I’ve accomplished. That makes me proud.”
Bekri Uka, site manager at Therme Zurzach, at work.
Boss in the office, team player on site
Bekri has been keeping the Zurzach Thermal Baths clean for eight years. Originally employed by gammaRenax, he has been working for us since the takeover. “At first, the transition wasn’t easy, but I always had support. We’re really well-organized at ISS, communication lines are short, and there’s always someone there to help you - day and night.” Today, he’s a site manager and is responsible for a team of 13. But for him, leadership means being approachable rather than distant: “I’m the boss in the office. When we’re out in the pool area, I’m just one of the team.”
As a father of three, he understands the concerns and challenges his employees face. He’s been working with many of them for years. “We’re like a family. If someone has a problem - whether it’s a sick child or a difficult situation at home - we find a solution together.” In addition to looking out for his team, Bekri also keeps a close eye on the budget and operations: “I’m always thinking about how we can optimize processes and save costs. I think like an entrepreneur within the company.” His wish for the future? “I hope everything stays the way it is and that I stay with ISS until I retire,” says Bekri. “I feel at home here.”
Bekri in his pigeon loft—where work and relaxation go hand in hand.
Bekri’s personal outlet
When the sun rises, Bekri’s workday is far from over. That’s when he devotes himself to his second passion: pigeons. “My cousin used to have white pigeons, and I’ve loved them ever since I was a child,” he says. At age 13, he got his first four pigeons; today he has about 80.
Near Bad Zurzach Castle, he’s built his own dovecote with an aviary and a seating area, where the family spends a lot of time, especially in the summer. Twice a day - sometimes for several hours at a time - he tends to these sensitive birds.
What do the pigeons give him in return? “They’re the best stress reliever - albeit a rather expensive one,” says Bekri with a laugh. “But as soon as I’m with them, I forget everything: work, everyday life - just everything. The birds know me inside and out, respond to every word, and can immediately sense whether you have a good heart.” He adds, “This trust is something very special and brings me peace after a demanding night at the thermal spa.”
Anyone who sees Bekri here in his element immediately feels the relaxing effect: “Just one hour with the pigeons and the stress is gone,” he says, warmly inviting all his colleagues to visit him and see for themselves.