KV Private Hospitals: Employers are playing poker with real wage cuts
No agreement in the third round of negotiations. Trade union vida announces resistance.
KV negotiation
The collective agreement negotiations for the employees of Austria's private hospitals remained without result yesterday, Monday, even in the third round. After several hours of negotiations, the employers continued to reject fair inflation compensation. Their offer was aimed at a three-year deal with only 2.5 percent for 2026 and 1.25 percent each for 2027 and 2028 . There was also no movement on the improvements to the framework law. Around 10,000 employees in 80 hospitals across Austria are affected, including the Anton Proksch Institute in Vienna, the private clinic of the Kreuzschwestern Graz or the Oberndorf rehabilitation center in Salzburg.
Health care in a state of flux
Markus_Zahradnik_1x1-1?qlt=85&ts=1763655352176&dpr=off "Harald Steer")
"This uncompromising attitude on the part of employers could cost not only employees dearly, but also patients - and thus the entire health care system."Verhandler der Gewerkschaft vida und Betriebsratsvorsitzender im Anton-Proksch-Institut
"This uncompromising attitude on the part of employers could cost not only employees dearly, but also patients - and thus the entire health care system. Anyone who believes that they can reduce their expenses on the backs of working people bears joint responsibility if the health system continues to falter," criticizes Harald Steer, negotiator of the trade union vida and chairman of the works council at the Anton Proksch Institute.
Burden in private hospitals increases
It is obvious that there are already considerable problems: there is a shortage of nursing and care staff in all areas. Employees are working at the limit, constantly have to step in at short notice and are coping with increasing demands. Patients, on the other hand, sometimes wait longer for treatment and therapy places.
"Proposing real wage losses under such conditions further exacerbates the situation"Verhandler der Gewerkschaft vida und Betriebsratsvorsitzender im Anton-Proksch-Institut
"Proposing real wage losses under such conditions further exacerbates the situation. Employees in private hospitals earn more – more money, more days off and more recognition. No less," says Steer – and announces: "We will defend ourselves against this disparaging offer from employers. Waiving wages is not an option for us."
Works meetings throughout Austria
The trade union vida is holding Austria-wide works meetings starting today to inform employees about the status of the negotiations. The next negotiation date was postponed by the employer from 3 to 11 December.
