Collective agreement for inland navigation in 2026
Inflation compensation for the majority of employees – significant increase in apprentice incomes
The trade union vida has successfully concluded the collective agreement negotiations for inland navigation. For the majority of employees, the new collective agreement means full compensation for inflation – a central step to secure purchasing power and ensure fair conditions along the Danube and on Austria's waterways. The agreement is valid from 1 January 2026 for a period of one year.
Passenger shipping: increase of 3.3 percent and more fairness in Sunday work
In passenger shipping, collective bargaining wages will rise by 3.3 percent , just above rolling inflation. This ensures that employees in lower wage groups do not lose out in real terms.
In addition, the agreement brings a concrete improvement in everyday work: In the future, ticket sales counter staff will receive a substitute day of rest for Sunday shifts - an important relief for those colleagues who cope with heavy load peaks seasonally and on weekends.
"The negotiations took place in a constructive atmosphere and were already concluded in the first round," emphasizes Thomas Graner, vida negotiator and chairman of the DDSG works council.
Cargo shipping: Lowest wage groups fully covered
In cargo shipping, deckhands and sailors were compensated with +3.2 percent , exactly the rolling inflation – a central union success, because it is precisely these wage groups that react particularly sensitively to price increases.
For higher ranks - up to captains - the increase is 2.5 percent.
Apprentices benefit in particular: up to 11.5 percent in the first year of apprenticeship
One focus in this round was on a significant revaluation of apprentice compensation. In addition to full inflation compensation, apprentices receive fixed monthly euro amounts on top:
- +60 euros in the 1st year of apprenticeship
- +40 euros in the 2nd year of apprenticeship
- +30 euros in the 3rd and 4th year of apprenticeship
This results in a strong increase of 11.5 percent in the first year of apprenticeship – a strong signal for recruiting young talent and fair prospects in the shipping sector.
"On average across all salary groups in passenger and freight shipping, including apprentice income, this corresponds to an increase of 3.5 percent," explains Daniel Liebhart, Chairman of the vida Aviation and Shipping Department.
Thanks to long-time collective bargaining negotiator Thomas Graner
At the end of the negotiations, Liebhart pays tribute to Captain Thomas Graner's decades of union commitment:
"I would like to thank Captain Thomas Graner for his many years of work as a collective bargaining negotiator for inland navigation and works council member at DDSG."
With the conclusion of this collective agreement, Graner resigns from his function as a works council member and enters his well-deserved retirement. The trade union vida wishes him all the best for this.
