Business
On Monday at 11:00 a.m. the eagerly awaited pay round for the metalworkers begins. It is also used as a benchmark for other sectors. One thing is certain: this year wage negotiations will be extraordinarily tough.
Even if the exact demand is only deposited at the first meeting: the employee representatives want to see a significant increase in wages. Employers see little room for manoeuvre. That has the potential for controversy.
Stangl: “This year will be particularly difficult”
ÖGB State Chairman and AK President Andreas Stangl said in advance: “It will be particularly difficult in the metal industry. Because the industry message is, ‘We are not here to replace inflation for workers, and workers should go to the state.’ I think there is already a conflict there.”
“Negotiations are likely to be tough”
It should probably take a whole series of rounds of talks this year. In any case, the Pro-GE trade union does not want to back down, as the deputy state chairwoman Elfriede Schober said regarding the negotiations: “The negotiations will probably be tough, we know that. I can only say one thing, that the employees in the companies are willing to stand up for their collective agreement.”
Sixth week of vacation as a bargaining chip
In any case, they will not close below the inflation of the past twelve months, which is 6.3 percent. Last year the metallers finished above the inflation rate. In the search for a compromise, there is also negotiating ground this year: regarding a sixth week of vacation or a staggering, i.e. more money for low-income employees.
IV calls for degrees with a sense of proportion
From the Upper Austrian industry it is said that extremely difficult negotiations are expected. The energy crisis is still enormous, so conclusions are being demanded with a sense of proportion, according to the association of industrialists when asked by Radio Upper Austria.
Trade negotiated in October
It’s not just the metalworkers who start their fall wage round on Monday: the private health and social sectors too. The next larger KV negotiations are then pending in retail – but they only start there on October 18th.