Why 2026 could be the year of the construction strike
Two worlds collide in the construction industry. Construction workers, who are demanding family-friendly working hours and full compensation after years of falling real wages, and master builders, who are demanding greater flexibility and cost stability. If a new national collective agreement is not reached by the end of the year, there is a threat of a contractless situation for the first time in over a decade and with it a national industry strike right at the start of 2026.
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.