The restructuring of Swiss state-owned rail freight operator SBB Cargo will be the main subject of a protest organised for Friday 29 August by various trade unions. The initiative will bring forward a few proposals including a change of heart on the closures of combined transport terminals and on the dismantling of rolling highway services.
SBB Cargo plans to abandon eight combined transport terminals due to unprofitability reasons. This will cause 65 people to lose their jobs, including 40 in the Ticino region, which is where this Friday’s protest will take place. The company suggested transfers within the SBB Group for those affected, but the proposals have not been deemed satisfactory, as some would require additional training or be considered as ‘demotions’.
Moreover, the protestors will call for maintaining active the rolling highway service connecting Italy and Germany through Switzerland. The accompanied combined transport link between Novara (IT) and Freiburg (DE), is set to cease operations at the end of the year due to too many restrictions along the network. This closure will have a significant impact on Swiss freight traffic, as most of the volumes will go back to congesting highways and roads.
Marching for rail freight
On top of this, participants at the demonstration will ask for higher costs for road freight traffic and public guarantees for investments in logistics infrastructure. The event is organised by trade unions SEV and USS and modal shift advocate Pro Alps. Participants will gather at the train station in Mendrisio and will march to the Covered Market Centre where the people whose job is on the line will have a chance to say their piece.
The protests will take place despite recent somewhat positive news. One of the eight terminals planned to be closed by SBB Cargo, will pass under the control of Swiss Post, which will keep it operational for at least another year. However, not everyone seems too ecstatic about this development, as it might only delay the closure of the terminal and not avoid it. Other than this week’s protest, trade unions will also take the issue in front of the Swiss Parliament on 9 September to highlight its national importance.