2024-11-11 20:49:00
Vienna – The second round of negotiations for the 130,000 employees of the Austrian Social Economy Collective Agreement has de facto failed. After ten hours the meeting was interrupted and the union announced combat measures in a broadcast that evening. “After there was no movement on the part of the employers regarding the salary increase, the GPA and vida unions are increasing the pressure with works meetings, actions and demonstrations,” it said in a press release. The employers were nevertheless optimistic.
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**Interview with Labor Union Representative**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today. Can you share your thoughts on the recent breakdown of negotiations for the Austrian Social Economy Collective Agreement and the subsequent declaration of combat measures by the unions?
**Union Representative:** Thank you for having me. The interruption of the negotiations after ten hours was disheartening but unfortunately not surprising. We entered those talks with hopes for a salary increase that reflects the hard work of our 130,000 members, but the employers showed no willingness to engage meaningfully. This has left us with no choice but to escalate our actions through works meetings and demonstrations.
**Interviewer:** The employers remain optimistic despite the unions’ decision to ramp up pressure. What do you make of their perspective?
**Union Representative:** Their optimism is hard to understand from our viewpoint. It appears they’re out of touch with the realities our members face. The cost of living has been rising, and employees are struggling to make ends meet. We believe it’s crucial for employers to acknowledge this and respond positively rather than dismiss the concerns of their workforce.
**Interviewer:** What could this mean for employees moving forward, especially with the potential for protests?
**Union Representative:** It means we’re preparing to stand firm. Our members are ready to advocate for their rights, and we will do everything necessary to ensure their voices are heard. While protests can disrupt operations, they are a legitimate form of expression in a democracy, especially when negotiations fail.
**Interviewer:** what message would you like to send to the readers regarding the importance of this situation?
**Union Representative:** I urge readers to consider how wage negotiations impact the entire social economy. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about people’s lives and their ability to provide for their families. We need to ask ourselves what kind of society we want to build. Should we support workers in their fight for fair wages, or should we accept the status quo, which benefits only a few? This is a critical moment for all of us to engage in this debate.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights. I hope our readers reflect on these important issues as we follow the developments in this ongoing situation.
