Tourism collective agreement: Employees decide on employers' offer

The collective agreement negotiations for employees in the hotel and catering industry remain unconcluded. After the latest round of negotiations, the trade union vida will now inform its members about the employers' offer and let them vote on the further course of action. For the union, the focus continues to be on protecting low incomes from loss of purchasing power.

The point of contention remains the inflation compensation

The trade union vida reacts with clear criticism to accusations by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) that the union would delay an agreement. From vida's point of view, the responsibility for the lack of a qualification lies with the employers.

"The WKÖ speaks of responsibility. In fact, it has cemented itself into its committees and refused any further movement. Those who are not even willing to protect employees with gross wages of just over 2,000 euros from real wage losses are doing business at the expense of their employees," says Eberhart.

The union has made several proposals that would protect employees in the lower wage groups in particular. However, these had not been taken up by the employers.

Staff shortage and low wages do not go together

vida is particularly critical of the employers' argumentation on the subject of the shortage of skilled workers. While the industry regularly refers to a lack of staff, it is at the same time not prepared to raise incomes accordingly.

"Anyone who constantly complains about staff shortages, but at the same time is not prepared to adequately remunerate the work of the employees, contradicts themselves," says Eberhart.

From the union's point of view, actual staff shortages should also be reflected in a higher evaluation of work and thus in better wages. Instead, structural problems are increasingly cushioned by the recruitment of additional workers from third countries via red-white-red cards and seasonal quotas.

vida calls for better wages instead of wage pressure

The union warns against further increasing wage pressure in the industry through ever new recruitment instruments.

"If the price of labor is depressed, the answer cannot be to constantly look all over the world for new, cheaper labor. Better wages are needed instead of ever new instruments that maintain wage pressure in the industry," Eberhart demands.

From vida's point of view, it cannot be that employees should accept real wage losses while at the same time the industry is relieved by state-supported personnel recruitment.

Members decide on the further course of action

The employees themselves will now have a say in how the negotiations will continue. The trade union vida will inform its members about the current offer and carry out a survey.

"In the end, those who keep the industry running every day in kitchens, hotels, restaurants and cafés will decide," Eberhart emphasizes.

The union also rejects the accusation that it is preventing a rapid wage increase through the ongoing negotiations. The aim is not to delay an agreement, but to prevent real wage losses for employees.

For vida, however, it remains clear that a collective agreement must protect those employees in particular who are already confronted with low incomes and rising living costs.