Caritas employees will receive 2.6 percent more salary from April
For more than 17,000 employees at over 40 organisations, the agreement brings real income improvements and important progress in the framework law.
After three intensive and constructive rounds of negotiations, the new collective agreement for employees in the non-profit charitable sector has been concluded: For more than 17,000 employees at over 40 organisations , the agreement brings real income improvements and important progress in framework law.
The most important facts in brief
- +2.6% salary from 1 April 2026 on collective bargaining salaries, allowances and supplements
- At least +2.3% from 1 January 2027, depending on inflation
- Care allowance of 135.50 euros gross per full-time month extended for two years
- More rights for care leave, crediting of previous service periods and for apprentices
- New salary step from 2027 for long-term employees (additional biennial increase)
Improvements in detail
The collective agreement, which applies throughout Austria, concerns organisations in the fields of care, work with the disabled, homeless assistance, poverty reduction and education. In addition to the wage and salary increases, concrete improvements in labour law were agreed:
- Additional week of care leave for parents of children with disabilities (if receiving increased family allowance)
- Crediting of military service as previous service period for new recruits
- Five days of paid leave for apprentices in the apprenticeship with Matura model
- New salary grade from the 18th year of employment: Recognition for long-standing, experienced employees
A deal under pressure to save money
The negotiations took place under considerable financial pressure – triggered by austerity measures by the federal, state and funding agencies. Nevertheless, it has been possible to reach a viable compromise that recognises the achievements of the employees and at the same time secures structural improvements.
"With the new wage and salary level from the 18th year of employment, we are sending an important signal of recognition for colleagues who have been committed to their organizations for many years. The additional care leave for parents of children with disabilities also represents a noticeable improvement."Verhandlerin Gewerkschaft vida
"Against the background of scarce public funds, the agreement is a hard but realistic compromise. This makes it all the more important that it has been possible to push through concrete improvements for employees in the framework law."Verhandlerin für die Gewerkschaft GPA
Alexander Bodmann, Vice President of Caritas Austria, speaks of a responsible conclusion in a particularly challenging year. On the trade union side, Eva Scherz (GPA) emphasises that despite scarce resources, it has been possible to push through real improvements in the framework law .
