SBV/Unia/Syna: Builders and Unions Reach Negotiation Agreement
15.12.2025 | from SBV Swiss Builders' Association
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15.12.2025, The negotiation delegations of the Swiss Builders' Association (SBV) and the unions Unia and Syna came to a consensus on Friday, 12th December 2025, after intense negotiations. The contracting parties have negotiated a national collective agreement with a six-year term, including new regulations on working and travel times, a wage package, and inflation protection. With the new contract, the construction industry stands to gain attractiveness. The negotiation outcome still needs approval by the decision-making bodies on both sides.
The national collective agreement for the main construction industry regulates the working conditions of around 80,000 construction workers. The collective employment agreement expires at the end of the year and therefore required renegotiation.
The negotiation delegations agreed on an outcome during the 10th round of negotiations. The new contract is characterized by intense negotiations in which both parties made concessions. The contracting parties are convinced that they have found a solution that will increase the attractiveness of the construction industry for both current employees and future apprentices.
New National Collective Agreement for the Main Construction Industry from 2026
As part of the negotiations, a new national collective agreement was concluded. The contract has a term of six years, from the beginning of 2026 to the end of 2031.
The key points are as follows:
1. The term of the new collective agreement is six years.
2. Introduction of a new working time planning from January 1, 2027. In the future, companies will also be able to choose a working time model with constant daily working time, allowing for more over and under hours.
3. A simplified overtime regulation and the possibility of creating a long-term leave account for employees who wish to accumulate overtime.
4. The regulations on travel time are designed in such a way that they can be declared generally binding in the future. From a certain magnitude, travel time counts as overtime.
5. Wage package and inflation protection.
6. Substantial increases in underground construction surcharges and allowances.
Result Will Be Presented to Decision-Making Bodies on Both Sides
With the outcome achieved by the negotiation delegations, the two parties have taken an important step towards a new national collective agreement after intensive negotiations. The result now needs to be approved by the decision-making bodies on both sides. On the part of the builders, an extraordinary delegate assembly of the SBV will decide on the definitive result on December 17, 2025. On the union side, professional conferences will take place on January 24 and 20, 2026, respectively.
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SBV Swiss Builders' Association
The Swiss Builders' Association (SBV) has existed since 1897. It is the national professional, economic, and employer organization for enterprises in the building and civil engineering sector, as well as related branches of the main construction industry.
Together with its sections, trade associations, and groups, the SBV represents the collective interests of its members in the state, the economy, and the public, and is particularly committed to areas such as employer policy, economic policy, and vocational education policy.
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Source: SBV Swiss Builders' Association, Press release
Original article published on: SBV/Unia/Syna: Baumeister und Gewerkschaften einigen sich auf Verhandlungsergebnis