The third round of collective labor agreement negotiations for employees in the private health, care and social sectors resulted in a breakthrough: on Tuesday evening, the negotiating partners reached a conclusion after 4 p.m. Wages, allowances and benefits will be increased by 9.2 percent.
The new minimum wage is 2067.40 euros. The increase applies to both the actual income and the minimum income. Eva Scherz, negotiator of the GPA trade union, was satisfied: “This agreement eases the financial burden for employees. For example, a social worker with 10 years of service now earns more than 300 euros more per month if he works full-time.” A comparison with other sectors shows that an increase above inflation of 8.7 percent is “anything but a given”. Scherz.
“Only possible through solidarity”
Michaela Guglberger, negotiator for the Vida union, said in a press release: “This agreement was only possible thanks to our solidarity. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the working meetings and increased the pressure.” The conclusion is proof that social partnership works in the social economy.
Part-time employees relieved
But the employer representatives were also satisfied: “With this agreement we have been able to send a strong signal to employees in the social and healthcare sectors, who were saddled with high costs last year due to inflation,” said the negotiator of the Austrian Social Council. Economics (SWÖ). , Walter Marschitz, in a broadcast. To ease the burden on part-time employees, a reduction in the so-called buffer hours for part-time overtime was agreed. Marschitz: “We have agreed with the employees to reduce the hours from 16 to 8, so that we can reach the majority of the employees.” In the social economy, 64 percent of employees work part-time.
“With the increase above the inflation rate, we are also sending an important social policy signal,” said SWÖ Chairman Erich Fenninger happily, emphasizing: “We know that our employees suffered mainly from inflation last year. At the same time, we need to attract employees now and in the future. With this wage increase we want to address both problems.”
More money if you’re on duty at night
In addition to the monetary agreement, improvements to the framework law were also agreed. For example, the wage during the night shift will be increased, the boarding allowance will be increased by 15 percent and the recognition of previous years of service and foreign training will be improved.
The changes to the collective labor agreement will come into effect on January 1, 2024. Last week, the union promised measures up to and including a strike if no agreement was reached. In the last round of negotiations on November 15, the unions stuck to their demand for a 15 percent salary increase – but at least 400 euros more. The employers had also insisted on their offer of 8.8 percent, but announced an improved offer at the start of negotiations on Monday.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
