vida calls for inflation compensation instead of loss of real wages

The trade union vida is therefore continuing its Austria-wide actions for fair wages and better working conditions.

Austrian tourism remains on course for a record: Bookings in May and June 2026 have risen again compared to the same period last year. According to Statistics Austria, it was the most successful summer pre-season since electronic records began in 1973/74.

These successes are generated by the approximately 250,000 employees in the Austrian hotel and catering industry. However, little of the industry boom is reaching their wallets. The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) unilaterally broke off the collective agreement negotiations a few weeks ago and denies full inflation compensation to apprentices and low-wage workers in particular.

Tourism records must show up on the pay slip

"The figures published today by Statistics Austria could not be clearer: Austrian tourism has set a new all-time record in the summer pre-season. And that's a good thing. It is not good that the employees do not feel any of this in their wallets," criticizes Eva Eberhart.

The employees keep tourism going even during the high season. In the heat, high work pressure and often difficult working hours, top performance is achieved every day. In return, they are also entitled to a fair share of the economic success of the industry.

"The employees have earned their share of the bigger cake," Eberhart appeals to the employers.

Employees fight for fair wages throughout Austria

The fact that the employees do not accept the uncompromising attitude of the Chamber of Commerce is shown by the ongoing trade union actions. Around 300 employees took part in a vida campaign in Vienna. On July 23, 2026, another protest action followed in Bad Schallerbach, Upper Austria.

Further actions are planned throughout Austria.

"The colleagues do not accept that the WKÖ believes that it can get out of the affair by unilaterally breaking off the collective bargaining negotiations," Eberhart clarifies.

Prices rise – employees should do without

While companies have increased their prices by more than 60 percent in recent years, the employers' side refuses to fully compensate all employees for inflation in the current wage negotiations.

For vida, this contradiction is unacceptable: the establishments demand record sums from their guests and achieve historic booking successes. At the same time, the very people who make this success possible with their daily work are to accept real wage losses.

"To deny one's own employees compensation for inflation in terms of wages is an untenable situation. This is not negotiating on an equal footing, but a slap in the face for 250,000 employees," Eberhart criticizes.

Fair working conditions instead of whining about staff shortages

For months, the tourism industry has been complaining about an acute shortage of staff. From the union's point of view, however, this is largely homemade. Low wages, stressful working hours and a lack of planning security make it difficult to attract employees and keep them in the industry in the long term.

"Anyone who claims to be desperately looking for employees must not fob them off with real wage losses while the tills are ringing like never before," Eberhart emphasizes.

The solution therefore does not lie in ever new opportunities to employ cheaper labour from third countries. vida is against an expansion of the seasonal worker quotas and for the abolition of the red-white-red card. Employees and jobseekers in Austria must be able to rely on not being replaced by cheaper labour.

vida's demands

vida demands for employees in the hotel and catering industry:

• Full inflation compensation: All employees must be protected from real wage losses. In addition, a real increase in wages and salaries is needed.
• Fair participation in the tourism records: Those who achieve economic success must also benefit from it on their payslip.
• Attractive working conditions instead of empty promises: Fair wages, predictable working hours and better working conditions are the most effective means of combating the shortage of personnel.

Employees in tourism will not be fobbed off with praise and warm words. The industry's records must no longer be built on low wages and worse living conditions.