When does the building agreement and its amendments come into force?

The agreement was signed in May 2026 and is already in force for a period of six years (until May 2032). The main deadlines: from 1 January 2027 the site allowance rises to CHF 6.5 (previously CHF 4); from 2028 it rises to CHF 9; from 2029 the guarantee of the purchasing power of real wages comes into force.

By how much does the site allowance increase and what does it mean in terms of annual earnings?

The site allowance increases from CHF 4 per day to CHF 6.5 from January 2027 (+62.5%), then rises to CHF 9 in 2028. For a worker working 250 days a year, the increase is about CHF 625 gross in 2027, plus another CHF 625 gross in 2028, for a total increase of CHF 1,250 over the previous level.

Is the travel time to the construction site also paid for border workers?

Yes, in full. Starting from the new agreement, travel time is recorded from the first minute without deductible. Previously, there was a 30-minute deductible that was not paid; with the May 2026 agreement, all minutes of travel to the construction site are compensated.

What were the claims that led to this settlement?

Workers mainly asked for shorter working days and maintenance of purchasing power. Over 10,000 workers participated in the demonstration on 17 May 2025. After months of tense negotiations and strikes that began on 20 October 2025, the agreement accepted these requests with shortening of days, increases in allowances, full recording of travel time and automatic adjustment of wages.

Who ensures that the agreement is applied correctly?

The OCST (Christian Organization of Workers' Unions) declared in June 2026 that it was intransigent and constant in verifying compliance with working conditions over the next six years. If your company does not apply the agreement correctly, you can contact the OCST for verification and appeals.

Ticino construction: agreement for 6 years (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 22 August 2026

Construction site in Ticino with workers and scaffolding at sunset in alpine valleys

Construction site allowance increases to CHF 6.5 from January 2027, then CHF 9 in 2028. Minimum wages appropriate to the standard of living and travel time paid in full. OCST Agreement signed in May 2026.

Context

In a nutshell

Ticino building collective agreement signed in May 2026, valid for 6 years
Construction site allowance increases from CHF 4 to CHF 6.5 (January 2027), then CHF 9 (2028)
Travel time recorded from the first minute: deductible 30 minutes
Minimum wages automatically adjusted to the standard of living

Key facts

What: Renewal of national and cantonal collective agreement in the construction sector
When: Demonstration 17 May 2025; strikes from 20 October 2025; agreement May 2026
Where: Ticino (cantonal agreement), Zurich, Lausanne, Bellinzona (first day of strikes)
Who: OCST (Christian Workers Union Organisation), employers, manufacturers, 10,000+ workers
Duration: 6 years (May 2026 – May 2032)
Increases: Construction site allowance +62.5% (from 4 to 6.5 CHF in 2027)
Purchasing power: Guaranteed from 2029 with automatic salary increases
Sector: 80,000 workers in the Swiss construction sector

On Monday, May 17, 2025, more than 10,000 construction workers took to the streets in Zurich and Lausanne to inaugurate negotiations on the renewal of the national contract. The demands were explicit: shorter working days and maintaining purchasing power against inflation.

In the following months, a dozen very tense meetings with the builders characterized the negotiation. In October the escalation: on 20 October strikes begin throughout Switzerland, with the first day in Bellinzona. In mid-December, a draft agreement emerges, approved

Operational details

The nexus with the frontier labour market

The construction sector is one of the main employers in the Canton of Ticino and employs a significant share of Italian border workers who cross the Ticino crossings every day to reach the construction sites. The agreement signed in May 2026 therefore directly concerns the economic and contractual conditions of tens of thousands of workers, many of whom live in the provinces of Como, Varese, Novara and Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.

The increase in the site allowance represents the most immediate and measurable benefit. A frontier worker working 250 days a year (prudential estimate for a full-time holiday contract) would see the allowance increase from CHF 1,000 per annum (CHF 4 × 250 days) to CHF 1,625 from January 2027 (CHF 6.5 × 250 days), an increase of CHF 625 net per annum. In 2028 the gross amount will rise again to CHF 2,250 per annum (9 CHF × 250 days), an additional benefit of CHF 625, for a total increase of CHF 1,250 over the previous level.

Recording travel time: direct impact on commuters

The full recording of travel time from the first minute is a particularly relevant change for border crossers, whose commuting times are usually longer than Swiss residents. Those who reside in the province of Como, Varese or in the border areas have routes of 30-60 minutes to reach the Ticino shipyards. With the old 30-minute deductible not

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Key points

Key Deadlines and Implementation of Changes

The Ticino collective agreement enters into force immediately, with benefits already applicable where specified. Here are the deadlines relevant to those working in construction in Ticino:

January 1, 2027: The site allowance increases to CHF 6.5 per working day. Employers have a legal obligation to apply this change to the payslips of all employees, including cross-border workers.

2028: New increase in the allowance to CHF 9 per day. This change is also binding for all construction companies.

2029: The mechanism to safeguard real wage purchasing power comes into effect. Wage increases must be calculated according to the agreed mechanism, which protects wages from inflationary erosion.

May 2032: The agreement expires; negotiations for the next renewal must begin by February 2032.

Verify Correct Application on Payslip

If you work in construction in Ticino as a cross-border worker, it is important to verify that your company correctly applies the terms of the agreement. Every month, check that:

The site allowance is correct (CHF 6.5 from January 2027, CHF 9 from 2028)
Travel time is fully recorded without deductible
Basic salary increases comply with agreed minimums
From 2029, wage increases maintain purchasing power according to the established mechanism

If you notice discrepancies between what is written in the collective agreement and what appears on your payslip, contact the company's HR manager or OCST directly. OCST has declared it will be vigilant in enforcing the agreement, so union support is available for verification and appeals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When does the building agreement and its amendments come into force?: The agreement was signed in May 2026 and is already in force for a period of six years (until May 2032). The main deadlines: from 1 January 2027 the site allowance rises to CHF 6.5 (previously CHF 4); from 2028 it rises to CHF 9; from 2029 the guarantee of the purchasing power of real wages comes into force.
By how much does the site allowance increase and what does it mean in terms of annual earnings?: The site allowance increases from CHF 4 per day to CHF 6.5 from January 2027 (+62.5%), then rises to CHF 9 in 2028. For a worker working 250 days a year, the increase is about CHF 625 gross in 2027, plus another CHF 625 gross in 2028, for a total increase of CHF 1,250 over the previous level.
Is the travel time to the construction site also paid for border workers?: Yes, in full. Starting from the new agreement, travel time is recorded from the first minute without deductible. Previously, there was a 30-minute deductible that was not paid; with the May 2026 agreement, all minutes of travel to the construction site are compensated.
What were the claims that led to this settlement?: Workers mainly asked for shorter working days and maintenance of purchasing power. Over 10,000 workers participated in the demonstration on 17 May 2025. After months of tense negotiations and strikes that began on 20 October 2025, the agreement accepted these requests with shortening of days, increases in allowances, full recording of travel time and automatic adjustment of wages.
Who ensures that the agreement is applied correctly?: The OCST (Christian Organization of Workers' Unions) declared in June 2026 that it was intransigent and constant in verifying compliance with working conditions over the next six years. If your company does not apply the agreement correctly, you can contact the OCST for verification and appeals.