2023-10-25 20:00:57
High inflation coupled with a difficult economic situation makes collective bargaining negotiations a tricky task for many industries.
It will be interesting to see whether a common denominator can be found in the KV negotiations. While in the past it was common practice to more or less orientate oneself to the inflation of the previous year, this has recently been questioned by WKÖ (Austrian Chamber of Commerce) trade chairman Rainer Trefelik. A situation like this with multiple crises has not existed for 40 years. The union wants a “fair and permanent increase” and is demanding an 11 percent increase (see graphic). Trefelik emphasizes, without making a specific offer, that “creativity” is needed to achieve a deal for the more than 430,000 employees. There will be company meetings from November 2nd to 8th, and negotiations will continue on November 9th. Here you can see a graphic of the wage agreements from 2017. After three rounds, the metal workers, who are negotiating for 200,000 employees, are far apart. The desired 11.6 percent is compared to 2.5 percent plus a one-time payment of 1,050 euros. While the employers are pointing out the bad situation (recession), the union is threatening a strike after various works meetings if there is no positive approach on November 2nd. Better start in the social economy The start of the collective bargaining talks for the social economy was constructive, where there is around 130,000 jobs. Right from the start, the employers offered inflation compensation of 8.8 percent. The employees are demanding 15 percent or at least 400 euros plus because the industry still earns 22 percent below the average, according to chief negotiator Eva Scherz. Things will continue on November 15th and they want to be finished on the 27th. Officials are not in dispute about the general conditions after the first round (e.g. 9.15 percent inflation as a basis). Things should continue “soon”. Numerous smaller industries such as: B. Leather goods, suitcase, shoe, glass and animal feed industries, milling industry (+10.1 percent each), industrial laundries, clothing industry (+10.5 percent) and breweries (+8.1 percent) have their KV- Increase already fixed for this fall.
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