Public service Strike and demonstration by employees of the City of Geneva
Around 1000 employees of the City of Geneva went on strike on Thursday against the austerity measures planned in the 2026 budget. They criticized a deterioration in working conditions and wages.
04.12.2025, 16:38
SDA
The employees from various municipal departments demanded the full application of the wage mechanisms and the abandonment of the freezing of vacant positions. They also demanded that cuts in departments and subsidies - particularly for cultural institutions - be abandoned. Trade unions supported them in this.
According to the budget, employees are not to receive any compensation for inflation and only a partial annual salary increase. In addition, the seniority bonus for 1,300 employees will be frozen - with a potential saving of CHF 4 million. In addition, 58 of a total of 200 vacant positions will not be filled for the time being.
The unions emphasized that the savings would be at the expense of the staff. The demonstrators marched loudly with banners past various municipal departments. "Without street cleaning - garbage city", "angry teachers" and "you block our wages - we block the city" were among the slogans on the banners. The city council will discuss the cuts from 8 a.m. on Saturday.
