A switchgear unit comprises a cubicle having two groups of stationary disconnect contacts and two shutters for controlling access to the stationary contacts. The shutters are pivotally mounted on the cubicle for motion about vertically spaced horizontal axes between blocking and nonblocking positions with respect to the contacts. A linkage interconnecting the two shutters causes pivotal motion thereof to occur in unison and in opposite angular directions with respect to each other. The weight of one pivotally mounted shutter counterbalances the weight of the other during their oppositely directed movement between blocking and nonblocking positions, thus reducing the force needed to operate the pivotally mounted shutters.