Tourism collective agreement: No agreement on four euros for the lowest incomes.

The fourth round of negotiations on the collective agreement for employees in the hotel and catering industry also ended without result. Despite rapprochement in the talks, an agreement ultimately failed on four euros per month for the lowest wage group. The trade union vida is disappointed by the attitude of the employers' side and continues to demand full inflation compensation for employees with low incomes.

Point of contention: Fair wage increase for the lowest incomes

The trade union vida had already presented a new model in the last round of negotiations, which is intended to protect employees with low incomes in particular. Specifically, the union is demanding an increase of at least 73 euros gross in the lowest wage group and 65 euros gross in the top wage group.

Wage group 5, in which more than half of all employees in the industry are classified, would be particularly affected. According to vida, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) was not prepared to accept the additional four euros demanded for this group of employees.

For an assistant waiter with a current monthly salary of 2,026 euros gross, this would mean receiving only 69 euros more per month instead of the required 73 euros.

Successful winter season, but no fair share for employees

The union also finds the employers' justification incomprehensible. While the Chamber of Commerce refers to high wage agreements in recent years, vida sees the economic development of the industry much more positively.

Several tourism businesses have already voluntarily granted their employees actual wage increases above inflation. At the same time, the most successful winter season in the history of Austrian tourism was presented just today.

"The fact that it is claimed now of all times that no fair conclusion is possible is incomprehensible to us," Eberhart notes.

Tourism remains a low-wage industry despite records

The union also points out that employees have so far benefited only to a limited extent from the economic success of the industry. Since 2022, prices in restaurants and hotels have risen by around 38.4 percent, according to vida. General inflation was around 24.8 percent in the same period.

Despite the wage increases of recent years, tourism continues to be one of the lowest-paid industries in Austria. The current minimum wage under the collective agreement has been only 11.70 euros per hour since November 2025.

From the union's point of view, this shows that the employers' oft-quoted argumentation about allegedly above-average wage increases falls short. It is not only the amount of the increases that is decisive, but also the starting level of income.

Vida remains ready to negotiate

The trade union vida emphasizes that it is still ready to negotiate at any time. However, the prerequisite is a serious interest on the part of the employer in a solution.

For the union, one thing is certain: Anyone who works in an industry that is recording record numbers of guests and overnight stays must also receive a fair share of economic success. Employees with low incomes in particular should not become the plaything of negotiation tactics.

"We are ready to return to the negotiating table at any time. However, we are appalled that the WKÖ has shown its true face today by wanting to withhold four euros a month from colleagues who have to work the poverty line," Eberhart concluded.