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Unions challenge the government in Geneva

Wednesday, 26 August 2026 06:35

Geneva's public-sector unions say the cantonal government is undermining the right to strike, after the education department refused to notify parents by post or email about last week's two-day walkout on 17 and 18 August

Teachers normally send strike notices home in pupils' school bags — this time the department only posted a notice on its website and on locked school doors during the summer break.

The SSP, SIT and SPG unions say the 41-day advance notice left ample time for a proper mailing.

They link the move to a spring decision restricting union messages on state employees' work inboxes, calling it an attack on constitutional freedom of association.

The strike itself was called to protest cantonal austerity measures affecting class sizes and special-needs staffing.

 

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