Collective agreement for retail workers: Second round again without result
Employers' offer far below inflation rate – vida mobilises for Austria-wide works meetings.
KV negotiation
Offer far below inflation – no movement in bonuses
The second round of negotiations for the collective agreement of the 150,000 retail workers has again remained without result. The employers presented an offer of 2.25 percent – well below rolling inflation and a further real loss of income for many employees.
Employers also show no willingness to improve working conditions: neither Sunday bonuses nor an increase in the night work allowance were included in the offer. The wage sacrifice of the employees last year thus remains unappreciated.
"The Chancellor would scold me" – disturbing argumentation causes outrage
The reasoning of the employers' chief negotiator Rainer Trefelik (WKÖ) caused particular shaking of the head:
"Mr. Trefelik announced at the negotiating table that the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor would call him personally and scold him if he signed a deal above inflation," reports vida negotiator Christine Heitzinger.
"Is it the official economic policy of this federal government to actively torpedo wage demands that only secure the subsistence level, while looking the other way at the self-service of the Chamber of Commerce officials?"vida-Verhandlungsleiterin Christine Heitzinger
Chamber functionaries treat themselves to up to 60 percent more
While retail workers continue to have to make do with a minimum wage of 2,092 euros gross , top chamber officials in some federal states have recently allowed themselves hefty salary increases - sometimes retroactively, sometimes by up to 60 percent. In some state organizations, monthly salaries are now over 14,000 euros.
"If the federal government considers it so urgent to reduce wages somewhere, it could start with the Chamber of Commerce. Our retail workers with a minimum wage of 2,092 euros gross are truly not the best addressees for savings fantasies."
vida starts works meetings – clear course against loss of real wages
For the trade union vida, one thing is certain: an agreement below inflation is out of the question.
"We may not have the Federal Chancellor on our side, but we do have 150,000 employees who are at a key point in the care sector in Austria. They will hold works meetings throughout Austria in the next two weeks."
In doing so, the union is making it clear that retail workers are prepared to stand up for fair wages and respect – and will not be impressed by political threats or delaying tactics.
What happens next?
The third round of collective bargaining negotiations is scheduled for 3 December. Until then, vida will mobilize in the companies - and make it clear that real wage losses are not an option for retail workers.
