Geneva public sector unions announce three-day strike over budget cuts

Geneva's public sector unions have declared three days of strike action, scheduled from June 2 to 4, in protest against anticipated budget cuts targeting public services. The decision was unanimously voted upon by the delegates of the Intersyndical Cartel of State and Subsidized Sector Personnel.

"The notice has been filed and the demonstration routes validated," stated Geneviève Preti, co-president of the Cartel, on Tuesday. The Geneva public sector has been mobilizing since November against austerity measures outlined in the 2026 bis budget project, which is still pending debate in the Grand Council. Unions and state personnel are particularly critical of the freeze on annual salary increases and the indexing of salaries.

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The notice has been filed and the demonstration routes validated.

The public sector is also concerned about a catalogue of austerity measures proposed by an expert group commissioned by the State Council. "The staff and the population must not pay the bill for this austerity," the Cartel emphasized. These new strike days aim to maintain pressure on both the executive branch and the Grand Council.

Demonstrations are planned for the evenings of Tuesday, June 2, and Thursday, June 4, with a rally scheduled for Wednesday, June 3. Previous mobilizations occurred on April 23 and May 7, with the latter drawing nearly 200 participants. The unions are determined to fight against the proposed budget cuts and their impact on public services.

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The staff and the population must not pay the bill for this austerity.