KV trade workers - where is the employers' offer?

The first round of collective bargaining negotiations for workers in commercial warehouses and transport remained without result. The vida negotiators have made it clear: Anyone who maintains the country's supply on Sundays, at night, in the cold and dusty deserves fair wages. But so far there has not even been an offer from the employers.

Wage sacrifice must pay off

Originally, a two-year financial statement was planned for the last negotiations. With a rolling inflation rate of 3.8 percent, employees received only a 3.3 percent wage increase in 2025 – trusting that this restraint would have a positive effect this year. "Our colleagues already practiced renunciation last year. So where is the thanks for that?" asks Christine Heitzinger, Chairwoman of the vida Services Department and chief negotiator of vida. "Once again there will be no backing down."

No supply without retail workers

Retail workers usually operate in secret; in camps where no one sees them. "The work of our colleagues is taken for granted - completely wrongly. Without them, there would be no goods in the shops and no food in the households," emphasises Heitzinger.

Compensate for inflation

While retail groups are benefiting from rising food prices, employees are coming under increasing financial pressure. "The fact that the employers' side has not yet submitted an offer is simply cynical in view of the record prices for food. Life has become more expensive for everyone – so wages must also rise," Heitzinger concluded. "We continue to rely on fair talks, but one thing is clear: we will not sell our colleagues in the trading warehouses and transport below their value."

The next negotiation for the trade workers will take place on November 18.