Construction Sites at a Standstill: Workers Protest Deteriorating Conditions

The construction sites in the region are at a standstill – construction workers are protesting against a deterioration in their working conditions. Lucien Robischon from the Basel union UNIA explains why the CBA negotiations are progressing slowly.

[Image of Lucien robischon during the construction strike]

“The employers are trying to push thru cuts that woudl substantially worsen the working conditions for our members,” explains Robischon. “This includes things like reducing break times, increasing the physical strain, and lowering compensation for particularly challenging work.”

The core issue revolves around the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the construction industry. Negotiations have been ongoing for months, but have stalled due to the employers’ demands.

“They claim that the economic situation doesn’t allow for improvements, but the construction companies are still making good profits,” Robischon argues.”We are not asking for more than what is fair for the hard work our members do.”

The strike is intended to put pressure on the employers to return to the negotiating table wiht a more reasonable offer. UNIA is demanding a CBA that reflects the value of construction workers’ labor and ensures safe and fair working conditions.

Robischon emphasizes the solidarity among the workers. “Our members are united in their determination to fight for their rights. They are willing to stand firm until a satisfactory agreement is reached.”

The strike is causing significant disruption to construction projects across the region, but UNIA believes it is a necessary step to protect the interests of its members and ensure a enduring future for the construction industry.

“The Traffic Jam is Not Counted”: A Swiss Construction Worker’s perspective on Working Conditions

Lucien robischon is union secretary at the UNIA Aargau-Nordwestschweiz union. He represents the UNIA in the Basel section of the Swiss Confederation of Trade Unions and is also an employee representative in the Joint Occupational Commission for the Basel region, responsible for implementing the LMV (Landesmantelvertrag – national collective bargaining agreement) in the region.

What does everyday life look like for construction workers today?

In the summer you sometimes have a nine-hour day. Then you work overtime as the concrete is delivered late. Some still have long journeys because they go from Basel to Zurich or vice versa. But the first 30 minutes of travel time from the warehouse to the construction site are not paid – this is free work. The traffic jam is not counted. We demand that the travel time is paid for from the first minute.

Do those 30 minutes of travel time, which are currently unpaid, really make that much of a difference?

Yes, if you extrapolate that, yes. There are construction workers who are assigned to construction sites far away for a year and a half were they have to travel an hour and a half there and back. These are just very long working days.And if this were to be curbed, the company would probably think twice about whether they wanted to build more locally or regionally again.

The master builders’ association, which represents the employers’ side, says that the current proposal for the LVM would not mean a worsening of annual working hours. Then why do you claim that this is a deterioration?

At the moment you have a maximum annual working time of 2112 hours. However, there is a working time calendar in which a minimum working time of 37.5 hours and a maximum working time of 45 hours are set. the master builders association would like to overturn that and say that normal working hours are between 0 and 50 hours. And he wants you to be able to work minus 150, 250 overtime hours. That means: In winter, when there tends to be less work, the boss can say he doesn’t need his workers for a few days – and then everything has to be reworked in the summer.

Can Construction Adapt to Modern Work Needs?

Working in construction is physically demanding. Can this profession truly meet the expectations of a modern employment contract?

Austria offers one solution. they extend Friday’s work hours for two weeks, then grant a free third Friday. Total working hours remain consistent, but workers enjoy a three-day weekend for recovery. This appeals to experienced construction workers and younger employees alike, allowing for opportunities like dedicated “daddy days.” Vocational schools should highlight these benefits, rather than accepting demands for increased Saturday work without extra pay.

why are over 70 percent of Switzerland’s 80,000 construction workers unionized?

Construction has a strong, long-standing tradition of union representation. This institution has yielded positive results.For example, retirement at age 60 stemmed from worker protests and a strike in 2002.

“The strength of the union allows construction workers to advocate for better conditions and a more sustainable work-life balance.”

Strong unionization empowers construction workers to negotiate for improved conditions and a healthier work-life balance.This proactive approach is crucial for attracting and retaining talent in a challenging industry.