KV Private Bus Companies: Members Approve Offer
The collective agreement negotiations for bus drivers of private bus companies have been concluded. The two-year contract brings real relief in working conditions, as well as wage increases above inflation.
The collective bargaining negotiations for the 12,000 employees at private bus companies throughout Austria have led to a conclusion after five rounds. The new collective agreement will be valid for two years - in companies such as Postbus, Sabtours, Dr. Richard, Blaguss, Gschwindl and Zucklin. It will bring a wage increase of 3.6 percent in 2025, i.e. 0.1 percent above rolling inflation. From January 1, 2026, wages will then rise again by average inflation plus 0.1 percent to ensure real wage growth and thus preservation of purchasing power. That is now the case," concludes Anil Zümrüt, KV negotiator for the trade union vida. In addition, the salaries in regular services will also be increased more strongly in the second year. In occasional traffic, an even greater increase in diets by a total of 14 percent for two years could be achieved.
Night work allowance and other improvements
Working conditions have also been improved: According to the offer, the night work allowance would be extended by two hours in two steps. There is also relief in the case of shared shifts and plannable free time. "The improved offer reached today by the vida-KV negotiating team is a step towards more appreciation and relief for the employees," emphasizes Markus Petritsch, Chairman of the Road Department in the vida trade union. "We have achieved our goal. In addition to the real wage increase, the existing staff will be relieved with better working conditions and more free time. The profession of bus driver will thus become a bit more attractive for newcomers again, which should also make it possible to get the staff shortage under control," adds the vida trade unionist.
Vote among vida members
From Friday, 07.03. to Thursday, 13.03.2025, the union members were now able to vote on the provisional result. With their approval, the new collective agreement could now be fixed. "The collective bargaining agreement put to the vote was accepted by a broad majority of bus drivers. We have recommended with a clear conscience to our vida members the acceptance of the proposal," says Petritsch.
"The interest and participation among colleagues was very high. The collective bargaining agreement put to the vote was accepted by a broad majority of bus drivers."
Strikes had an effect
Since the negotiations had stalled, vida trade unionists, supported by activists from the alliance "Wir fahren gemeinsam", held works meetings and warning strikes throughout Austria in February. "The strike of the employees and the perseverance have not failed to have their effect," Petritsch thanked the employees, works councils, activists from the climate movement and passengers who supported the union demands as part of the broad alliance "We Ride Together" or with their 10,000 signatures.
"The improved offer reached by the vida-KV negotiation team is a step towards more appreciation and relief for the employees."
Support from "We drive together"
The alliance, consisting of vida, AK Vienna, the climate protection organisations Fridays For Future as well as System Change, Not Climate Change! and bus drivers, supported vida in the collective bargaining negotiations, actions and also in the strike. "Without more attractive working conditions, no additional staff can be recruited for the expansion of public transport and thus for more climate protection," emphasizes Teresa Tausch, climate activist at Fridays For Future.
"That's why we supported vida and the bus drivers in their concerns and in demanding them from the very beginning. For more climate protection, a better bus service is needed, especially in rural areas, so that there are affordable and climate-friendly alternatives to private transport there as well. The alliance work of the last few months has shown us how well the climate issue and demands for better working conditions can be tackled together," Tausch affirms.
