In the 1960s, the Winterthur train station was a significant location for Italian guest workers, who would arrive and depart from here, seeking work in the city's construction sites and factories. This influx of workers led to a notable demographic shift, with 17% of Winterthur's population being foreigners by the mid-1960s. The city's reaction to this change was mixed, with some embracing the Italian culture, while others, like the National Action party, advocated for stricter immigration laws.