Geneva public workers protest budget cuts for second day

Around 1,200 Geneva public employees demonstrated Tuesday evening against planned budget cuts, marking the second protest in two days after over 500 gathered Monday. The action concludes a strike begun August 10. The unions aim to boost mobilization ahead of September 17, when the government presents its 2027 budget and 2027-2030 financial plan. Strike participation in education reached 3.3% Tuesday, up from 1.2% Monday, with 371 staff mobilized across all sectors. While the government dropped 17 savings measures from the Zuin report, 60 remain, including cuts to health insurance subsidies, social aid, and hospital funding. Unions demand withdrawal of the plan, citing blocked salary steps and removed retirement bonuses as attacks on public services.