Public service The strike against austerity measures in the canton of Vaud continues
Vaudois state employees took to the streets again on Thursday to protest against the 305 million franc austerity measures. It was the seventh day of protest, which will continue on Friday.
04.12.2025, 18:04
04.12.2025, 22:03
SDA
Under the slogan "Against the austerity policy, we will not let up!", the trade unions had called on all state employees to go on strike. Numerous workplaces had passed strike resolutions, in particular schools, universities and institutions in the health and social sectors.
The strike was again most widespread in schools. The Department of Education noted a strong mobilization in the canton's educational establishments. "In compulsory education, it can be assumed that around a third of Vaud state employees went on strike today," the department said.
Strike continues
The VPOD union, which was involved in the mobilization together with the SUD and FSF unions, called for the movement to continue in a resolution. Cora Antonioli, president of the Vaud VPOD section, told the Keystone-SDA news agency.
The resolution spoke of a "strike without end". The unions have announced a large demonstration in the form of a procession through the streets of Lausanne next Tuesday. A further meeting is to be held next Wednesday to decide whether to continue the strike.
Entering into dialog
The public sector unions continue to criticize the government, "its (non-)communication" and "its will not to negotiate." They also accuse the executive of "shifting all responsibility for its political decisions onto the Grand Council".
They are therefore calling for an "immediate and serious dialog". On Tuesday and Wednesday, the government repeated several times before the cantonal parliament that it had not refused to engage in dialog, contrary to the unions' claims. Government President Christelle Luisier (FDP) mentioned two rounds of talks in particular and emphasized that, in her opinion, it was the trade unions who had refused any discussion.
On 24 September, the government presented its budget for 2026, which envisages a deficit of CHF 331 million and cost-cutting measures amounting to CHF 305 million. In particular, this includes subsidy cuts amounting to CHF 165 million.
