The employees will receive an increase in their KV and actual wages by 4.1 percent from December, as the union and the Chamber of Commerce jointly announced in the evening. The agreement is therefore clearly above the underlying inflation rate of 3.5 percent. The term of the KV agreement is 12 months.
Representatives of the union and the Chamber of Commerce said they were satisfied, but the percentage was “above what we can afford in the current tense economic situation. But we want to afford it; that is a strong sign of appreciation from the companies towards their employees and employees,” Thomas Scheiber, chairman of the railway association in the WKÖ, is quoted in the broadcast.
Coordination with works councils
The union will present the collective bargaining agreement to the works councils in the railway sector for a vote at a conference in Vienna tomorrow, Thursday. “One can be quite certain that this wage increase will be accepted with broad approval,” said vida unionist Gerhard Tauchner.
Aside from the salary increase, the negotiators also agreed on an adjustment of the valorizable additional remuneration by 4.1 percent. In future, the income for technical apprenticeships will be 1,010 euros from the first year of apprenticeship.
Improvement in the framework law
“There are also improvements for employees in the KV framework law. In a side letter to the KV, it was agreed, among other things, that the framework conditions would be adapted to the operational challenges and needs,” says Tauchner. Topics such as night and weekend work, general working time regulations, allocation to salary tables and industry-specific special regulations should be addressed. The working groups are expected to start in February 2025.
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**Interview with Thomas Scheiber, Chairman of the Railway Association in WKÖ**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Thomas. The recent announcement of a 4.1 percent wage increase for employees is certainly noteworthy. Can you explain what factors led to this decision?
**Thomas Scheiber:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The decision for a 4.1 percent wage increase stems from the need to show appreciation for our employees amidst the current economic challenges. Although this increase exceeds the current inflation rate of 3.5 percent, we believe it is essential for our employees to feel valued, especially during tough times.
**Interviewer:** There seems to be a recognition of the economic strain on companies as well. How did you balance employee needs with the businesses’ capacity to pay?
**Thomas Scheiber:** It was a difficult negotiation, to be honest. Both the union and the Chamber of Commerce acknowledge that the agreed percentage is above what many companies can afford; however, we made this move to emphasize that we want to support our workforce. Employers recognize that a motivated workforce is crucial for their long-term success, even if it requires short-term sacrifices.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned improvements in the collective bargaining framework. What specific changes can employees expect moving forward?
**Thomas Scheiber:** Beyond the wage increase, we focused on enhancing the overall working conditions. This includes addressing aspects like night and weekend work regulations and adapting the salary tables specific to our industry needs. We aim to create a more flexible and responsive work environment that truly reflects the operational challenges our employees face.
**Interviewer:** The wage increase and new workplace regulations must be presented to the works councils for approval. What feedback are you anticipating?
**Thomas Scheiber:** Based on preliminary discussions, I expect strong approval from the works councils. Gerhard Tauchner, from the vida union, expressed confidence that the wage increase would be accepted positively. It’s important for us to listen and adjust according to the feedback we receive during this upcoming presentation.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Thomas. Your insights highlight the challenging yet necessary balance between employee satisfaction and economic realities. We look forward to hearing how this progresses.
**Thomas Scheiber:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we continue this dialogue as we move forward.
