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  • Master builders and trade unions agree on new national collective agreement

    Master builders and trade unions agree on new national collective agreement

    In the tenth round of negotiations, the delegations from SBC, Unia and Syna reached a negotiation result on December 12, 2025 for a new national collective agreement that will apply from 2026. The previous collective labor agreement for around 80,000 construction workers expires at the end of the year and therefore had to be revised. Both sides emphasize that they have come together on key points in order to ensure planning security and competitive working conditions.

    Six-year term and new working time models
    The new LMV is designed for six years and will apply from the beginning of 2026 to the end of 2031 – an unusually long horizon that should bring stability to an industry characterized by a shortage of skilled workers and economic uncertainties. New working time planning will be introduced from January 1, 2027. Companies can now choose a model with constant daily working hours and accept more overtime and reduced hours in return. In addition, overtime regulations will be simplified and it will be possible to build up a long-term vacation account, allowing employees to save up overtime and take it later as extended time off.

    Travel time, bonuses and inflation
    A key point of the agreement concerns travel time, which plays a major role on construction sites throughout the country. In future, the regulations are to be structured in such a way that they can be declared generally binding. Above a certain level, travel time will be counted as overtime. In addition, there is a wage package with substantial increases in bonuses and allowances in underground mining, where the workload is particularly high. There are also plans to cover inflation so that the real wages of construction workers are not eroded in an environment of rising living costs.

    Focus on the attractiveness of the construction industry
    With the new agreement, the social partners are pursuing the common goal of strengthening the construction industry as an employer. For current employees as well as for future skilled workers. More modern working time models, clearer rules on travel time and improved bonuses are intended to improve conditions in a physically demanding occupational field. At the same time, companies will receive a reliable framework for planning projects, retaining staff and making long-term investments.

    Decision still pending
    The outcome of the negotiations is an important breakthrough, but not yet the final point. On the part of the Federation of Master Builders, an extraordinary delegates’ meeting on December 17, 2025 will decide on final acceptance. For the Unia and Syna trade unions, the professional conferences will make the decision in January 2026. Only if both sides agree will the new national collective agreement come into force and set the guidelines for the world of work in the construction industry until 2031.

  • Why 2026 could be the year of the construction strike

    Why 2026 could be the year of the construction strike

    The national collective agreement for around 80,000 employees in the main construction industry regulates wages, working and travel times, bonuses and protection against dismissal and expires at the end of 2025. After several inconclusive rounds of negotiations, Unia and Syna are warning that without an agreement, a situation without a contract will arise and nationwide industrial action is likely

    At the same time, the days of protest, most recently in several cities in Ticino, are increasing the pressure on the employer side and signaling a high willingness to strike at grassroots level. In a major survey, around 90 percent of 20,000 construction workers were in favor of strike action if no viable compromise could be reached

    Trade union demands
    The trade unions are focusing on three issues: more family-friendly working hours, legally secure travel times and safeguarding purchasing power. Among other things, they are demanding a maximum of eight hours per day, a paid snack break, full recognition of travel time to the construction site, guaranteed compensation for inflation and real wage increases after years of falling real wages

    The previous practice, according to which travel time is often only partially paid or not paid at all, was criticized by Seco as not complying with mandatory labour law, which increases the pressure to clarify this point in the new contract in a binding manner. From the trade unions’ point of view, the improvement in conditions is also a response to the shortage of skilled workers that has plagued the construction industry for years

    Position of the master builders
    The Swiss Association of Master Builders points to the already high minimum wages throughout Europe and offers automatic inflation adjustments to the minimum wages as well as additional wage increases via bonuses in the coming years. At the same time, it is insisting on more flexibility, daily and annual working hours, more flexitime, work on selected Saturdays without a supplement and adjustments to bad weather regulations

    The association believes that the unions’ demands will drive up wage costs by 12 to 15 percent and jeopardize the industry’s competitiveness, particularly in view of rising construction costs and an uncertain order situation. The association has signaled some concessions regarding the protection of older employees against dismissal, but has linked this to an agreement on the wage package

    Escalation or compromise?
    The trade unions warn that the employers’ flexibility model will result in longer attendance times of up to 50 hours per week, more overtime without a bonus and greater uncertainty in the event of order slumps, with particular risks for older construction workers. Conversely, the master builders’ association criticizes the protest days as a breach of the contractual obligation to maintain peace and accuses the unions of blocking a sustainable collective agreement with maximum demands

    Whether 2026 will actually start with a nationwide construction strike will be decided at the negotiating table in the coming weeks. This is where tough positions must be turned into a viable compromise for an industry that is under pressure from both costs and skilled workers.

  • Master builders’ association remains confident

    Master builders’ association remains confident

    The SBC’s draft agreement is based on simple, realisable rules. Key points include an automatic inflation adjustment of minimum wages, the retention of annual working hours and new freedom in the organisation of working hours. There are plans for flexitime and long-term accounts, which offer employees more flexibility for further training or family commitments. Company holidays and bridging days are also to be communicated at an early stage.

    An important focus is on labour law protection in the event of illness and accidents. At the suggestion of the SBV, the trade unions are examining an adjustment to the Swiss Code of Obligations in order to avoid the disadvantages of previous regulations. At the same time, notice periods for older employees should be structured in such a way that reintegration into the labour market is not made more difficult.

    Both sides are endeavouring to find practical solutions to technical issues. For example, on the recognition of travelling time or Saturday work in the event of weather-related absences. The association points out that bonuses should only be adjusted in exceptional cases.

    Controversial view of the trade unions
    While the SBC describes the negotiations as “good and constructive”, there is growing resentment on the employee side. According to Unia and Syna, there is a threat of protests and strikes. In a nationwide poll, around 90 per cent of construction workers surveyed signalled their willingness to start work stoppages if no agreement is reached. The unions criticise in particular longer daily working hours, lower bonuses and a deterioration in the situation of older workers.

    The SBV counters this and emphasises that the annual working hours remain unchanged and that the minimum wages in the construction industry are among the highest in Europe. Since 2019, wages have risen by 7.5 per cent, with inflation at 6.5 per cent. According to the association, the new agreement should neither increase burdens nor reduce security, but rather strengthen the industry’s competitiveness.

    Last round to be decided
    The next and, for the time being, last round of negotiations is scheduled for 28 October. At the same time, technical working groups are meeting to prepare disputed details. Both sides are publicly emphasising their willingness to negotiate, but the differences are considerable.

    There is a lot at stake for the construction industry. The collective labour agreement regulates the working conditions of around 80,000 employees and forms the basis for stability and fairness in one of Switzerland’s most important industries.