Swiss Railway Strike (2008)

The Swiss Railway Strike of 2008 was a strike in Switzerland in 2008 by railway workers in order to protect against job losses. It was at the beginning of a global wave of unrest.

Background

Following the Great Recession in 2007 and 2008, a major Swiss railway country was rumoured that it would lay off more than 400 workers, but didn't say who. The trade union demanded information on who would be fired. During a meeting with the workers and the bosses, the boss confirmed it was true and the workers threw the boss out of the meeting hall and went on strike.

Events

The strikers formed solidarity committees with all local towns and factories, and soon protest marches with flags and balloons broke out. A massive solidarity fund was created and the workers occupied their rail workshops and sabotaged train tracks, also threatening to block major rail routes. Several workshops were the only factories in the country capable of producing breaks for cargo trains. Workers hung red flags from their houses and occupied workplaces.

Results

The strike was successful and no workers were laid off.

References

https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/swiss-railway-workers-strike-against-job-cuts-2008