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08. Januar 2026

Wage theft in the health sector: Employees of private hospitals sound the alarm

Day of action increases pressure ahead of fifth round of collective bargaining – trade union vida: Real wage losses are not an option.

KV negotiation

Gewerkschaft vida

Hundreds of employees from Austria's private hospitals sent an unmistakable signal on the day of action: an end to wage theft in the health sector. While the collective bargaining negotiations will enter the fifth round on 12 January 2026, employers continue to refuse to submit fair offers. The proposals so far are clearly below rolling inflation – improvements in working conditions have not even been offered.

"Employees from all occupational groups and several federal states have shown today that they will no longer be fobbed off. Anyone who bears responsibility for human lives on a daily basis deserves respect and fair wages - not real wage losses," clarifies Harald Steer, head of negotiations at the vida trade union.

Profits for corporations, austerity policy for staff

Harald Steer at the lectern
"If corporations like Porr, Strabag or Uniqa profit, while savings are to be made on nursing, therapy and administrative staff, this is nothing more than organized wage theft."
Harald Steer
Verhandlungsleiter der Gewerkschaft vida

The employers argue with tight budgets and public austerity policies. But this narrative does not stand up to closer scrutiny. Many private hospitals are supported by large corporations – companies that continue to generate profits.

Loss of real wages is a risk for care

What is being negotiated here does not only concern income. Real wage losses exacerbate the shortage of staff, increase the workload and endanger the quality of care in the long term. Anyone who devalues health work risks the stability of the entire system – at the expense of employees and at the expense of patients.

Clear message ahead of the fifth round of negotiations

The trade union vida makes it unmistakably clear before the next negotiation date:
"With us, there will be no agreement that makes employees poorer in real terms. If employers continue to block, we will increase the pressure. Health work is worth more - and we will fight for it."

 

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