Collective agreement for the hotel and catering industry: We can only move forward with negotiations
Grievances must be addressed - WK cancellation of tomorrow's collective bargaining negotiation is not a solution.
Tourism
A justified criticism by the trade union vida of grievances in the tourism industry has today been followed by an exaggerated step by the employers' side: The chairmen of the hotel and catering trade associations in the Chamber of Commerce have unilaterally cancelled the collective agreement negotiations planned for tomorrow for around 240,000 employees.
The chairman of the trade union vida, Roman Hebenstreit, reacts with regret.
"Refusing to negotiate does not solve any problems. Neither employers nor employees benefit if the Chamber of Commerce evades dialogue. We would have expected more criticism and willingness to talk from the social partner."vida-Vorsitzender
Negative examples must be named
"We expressly do not deny respect to the industry. Especially in order not to discredit the many righteous companies, it is necessary to clearly name negative examples," said Hebenstreit. In a previous press release, he had pointed out unlawful subsidies of individual companies from the COFAG pot. He also addressed the serious cash register fraud that became known at the end of January as well as a massive black money find at a tourism business in the province of Salzburg.
The so-called "intermediate parking" of employees at the AMS as well as violations of employee protection are also documented problems in the industry. "These cases are not inventions of the union. We would also prefer it if public coffers and employees were spared from this. Only if grievances are clearly named and consistently combated will we prevent them from being blamed across the board on the entire hotel and catering industry."
Only negotiations bring solutions
In the interest of the employees, Hebenstreit calls on the representatives of the Chamber of Commerce to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible: "If you are interested in fair framework conditions and respectful interaction in the interests of your member companies – as emphasized in your statement, then let's start the collective bargaining negotiations. The negotiators of the trade union vida are ready for constructive, social partnership talks."
Why silence is not an option
Silence does not protect the industry. Silence protects those who break rules.
In the hotel and catering industry, hundreds of thousands of people work under high pressure. Many companies act correctly, pay taxes, comply with collective agreements and bear responsibility. But as long as documented grievances are concealed, it is not the black sheep who come under pressure - but those who abide by the law.
Funding abuse, undeclared work, cash register fraud, the "intermediate parking" of employees at the AMS or violations of employee protection are not marginal phenomena. They are known, proven – and they have real consequences: wage dumping, unfair competition, less security and less trust in the entire industry.
Silence means:
- that employees continue to pay the price
- that fair companies are disadvantaged
- that public funds are misused
- that problems get bigger instead of being solved
Social partnership does not mean harmony at any price. It thrives on openly addressing problems – and negotiating solutions together. If you want improvements, you have to have the courage to name grievances.
Therefore, silence is not an option. Talking – and negotiating – does.
