Demonstration Thousands take to the streets in Bern for higher wages

Thousands of people gathered in Bern on Saturday afternoon to demonstrate for higher wages. They responded to a call from the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (SGB) and the associations of Travailsuisse, the umbrella organization for employees.

The demands focused on wage increases of up to five percent, according to a press release. The unions denounced the fact that real wages are below the 2019 level despite generally good economic development.

A parade was planned from Schützenmatte, not far from the train station, to Bundesplatz, where a final rally with speeches was on the agenda. Shortly before the planned start at 2 p.m., several thousand people had gathered at the meeting point.

The Bern cantonal police expected major traffic restrictions in the city center until 5 p.m., as they announced in advance. They also announced that they would be deployed with an "appropriate disposition".