The first round of negotiations on the collective labor agreement (KV) 2023 started on Monday in the Metal Engineering Industry (FMTI). Two weeks ago, the PRO-GE and GPA unions filed their demands for a 10.6 percent pay increase with employers. They described the demands, represented by Styrian industrialist Christian Knill, as “unreasonable and excessive”.
Negotiations in the Vienna Chamber of Commerce have been underway since 11 a.m. and are expected to last several hours. An agreement is not expected on Monday, the positions of the negotiating parties are too far apart.
Next round on October 17th
Negotiations will then continue on October 17. In the meantime, the union could continue to mobilize, for example with work meetings.
Unions also demand improvements in framework legislation
In addition to the 10.6 percent increase in income, the unions are also demanding improvements in the framework law for the collective labor agreement 2023, which will apply from 1 November this year: 1,000 euros for apprentice trainees, a new allowance for Saturday work, an increase in the overtime allowance. for the 10th working hour and easier access to the sixth week of vacation.
The union points to high inflation to explain its demands and states that most companies have earned well. PRO-GE chief negotiator Rainer Wimmer said Monday in the “Ö1 Morgenjournal”: “Big dividends have been paid and, of course, it’s about taking the employees along.”
Employer representative flirts with one-off payments
Meanwhile, FMTI chairman Knill emphasizes the burden on companies due to the sharp rise in energy prices. In addition, the negotiations must take into account the measures taken by the state to absorb inflation, according to the employer’s representative in the “Ö1 Morgenjournal”. He flirts with one-off payments.
Of the „chives on bread”
The unions reply that they negotiate with employers, not with the government. For Wimmer, one-time allowances would only be “chives on bread” and could only be agreed upon alongside wage and salary increases.
The minimum wage for the metal industry in the traditionally well-paid sector is currently 2,090 euros gross. Like every year, the starting point for haggling is inflation over the past twelve months, in this case 6.3 percent.
According to a quick estimate by Statistics Austria, inflation was 10.5 percent in September and the unions want to take that into account.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
