Ahead of Strike in Zurich: SBV Warns of Renewed Riots, Construction Workers Uneasy

What happened? In recent weeks, there have been violent actions during strike days at several construction sites in Basel, Bern, and Aargau. 'Masked individuals, some wearing Unia caps and carrying Unia flags, stormed construction sites, threatened construction workers, and caused significant property damage,' says Pascal Johner, Managing Director of the Aargau Builders' Association. He continues: 'The rioters disregarded the safety of the construction professionals. With sabotage on electrical systems and cranes, they knowingly endangered construction personnel. Several companies then halted their work to ensure the safety of their employees. Construction sites are sensitive in terms of safety and are not usually accessible to the public. Unauthorised entry endangers people.'

SBV accepts no violence. The unions are responsible Construction workers are, of course, allowed to participate in peaceful protest actions. However, many construction workers are not union members. They also want to work on the called strike and protest days. The SBV expects the unions Unia and Syna, following their condemnation of riots and threats to construction personnel, to take responsibility. 'The SBV accepts no violence, no intimidation, and demands adherence to the existing peace obligation. Masked individuals, some armed with sticks, who provoke, threaten, and deliberately cause damage, have no place in social partnership,' states SBV Director Bernhard Salzmann.

No repetition of violent excesses on Friday For Friday, 14 November 2025, unions have called for a nationwide strike in Zurich. The negotiating leadership of Unia and Syna is directly responsible for ensuring that the protest occurs peacefully in the public space. Following their distancing from the incidents in Bern, Basel, and Aargau, the builders and construction personnel expect that the unions will not tolerate masked individuals during their demo and explicitly prevent the blocking and entering of construction sites. Those who wish to continue working on Friday should be allowed to do so safely and peacefully, just like demonstrators who want to make a stand in Zurich. The SBV calls on the unions not to inflame the situation and to strictly prohibit any form of violence.

The builders continue to negotiate constructively Despite the tense situation, the SBV continues the negotiations. The goal remains to conclude a new and fair LMV. Representatives of the builders were ready to hold a new round of negotiations on Friday, but the unions wanted to stick to their strike day. Therefore, if Friday proceeds peacefully, an extended round of negotiations is set for Monday, 17 November 2025. If violent excesses occur again, these will need to be dealt with first. A strong social partnership is based on rules that are respected by all parties. The builders expect the unions to have learned from the incidents in Bern, Basel, and Aargau, and after a peaceful rally on Friday, to continue working constructively and jointly on the new LMV on Monday.

Press contact: Jacqueline Theiler, Head of Communication SBV
Tel. 058 360 76 42 · jacqueline.theiler@baumeister.ch

Matthias Engel, Media Spokesperson SBV
Tel: 058 360 76 35, matthias.engel@baumeister.ch

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