The crowd gathered before lunchtime near the city’s main railway station on Tuesday, accusing the master buildings’ association of demanding radical changes to the national overtime contract.
The protest, the third in a series of demonstrations to demand a re-negotiation of the national construction industry wage agreement, was organised by the Unia and the Syna trade unions in north-western Switzerland.
The unions said more than 400 construction sites in the region were at a standstill.
Similar demonstrations took place in the Italian-speaking Ticino region and in Valais and more protests are planned in other regions of the country.
The current agreement, which covers about 80,000 workers expires a the end of the year and a further round of negotiations with employers is due to take place later this month.
The unions say the master builders make a wage increase dependent on accepting a number of measures, notably deteriorating classify long-serving construction workers in lower wage categories and shorten their notice periods.
Swiss foreign minister backs Berset at Council of Europe
This content was published on
Cassis described Berset as the "ideal candidate" to help the Council realise its aim of ensuring security and peace in Europe.
Gay conversion therapy banned in Swiss canton of Valais
This content was published on
On Thursday, the canton approved a new Health Act which includes a ban on therapies aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.
This content was published on
Some aspects of pro-Palestine sit-ins have gone too far, but the right to protest and debate must be upheld, the student association has said.
Swiss LGTBIQ helpline: attacks more than doubled in 2023
This content was published on
Three organisations jointly operating a helpline have called for more awareness, action and funding to address discrimination.
This content was published on
Switzerland's economy grew slightly at the start of 2024, with growth in the service sector contrasting with weak growth in industry.
Swiss employment rate rises in first quarter of 2024
This content was published on
The number of women and foreign nationals in employment increased particularly strongly, the Federal Statistical Office said on Thursday.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss nurses demonstrate for better working conditions
This content was published on
Four weeks before a nationwide vote on ‘strong nursing care’, nursing staff took to the streets demanding better working conditions.
This content was published on
After weeks of negotiations between Swissport and the union, employees will get a small pay hike and a safeguard against inflation.
This content was published on
The pilots of Swiss International Air Lines have decided to drop plans for a strike to press for better working conditions.
Negotiations between Uber and their Geneva drivers fail
This content was published on
Drivers for the American ride-hailing firm Uber in the Swiss city of Geneva have rejected a proposal to settle a dispute over working conditions.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.