Hardened positions in the battle for retail wage negotiations: almost half a million workers are at stake. There is currently no compromise in sight. What’s next?
The largest industry is causing pre-Christmas stress. The trade. 430,000 employees are affected by the current wage negotiations. The positions are clear. The union demands a deal that does not fall below the inflation rate of 9.2 percent; employers have moved to 8%. “More is not possible,” says Rainer Trefelik, responsible negotiator and WKO chairman. At least one-off payments, which union members have condemned in strong language, are off the table. Trefelik fears for the survival of many companies.
Employer: “Then many will close”
“Many entrepreneurs say that the 8 percent increase is far too much.” You should also take into account that the retail sector was particularly affected by Corona – unlike, for example, metal workers, who traditionally earn higher prices anyway. “The economic situation is catastrophic, there is a 4% drop in productivity and the requested wage increases are far from reality. Otherwise, many will have to close.” This cannot be in the spirit of the union, which “sees everything only one-dimensionally”.
What happens next? Trefelik: “Good question,” he says. “I don’t see any compromise at this point.” Five rounds of negotiations have failed. Helga Fichtinger, the union’s chief negotiator, said: “The employer side broke off negotiations after our offer.” More increases for low incomes, less for higher incomes. But not under inflation.
“We also have support from the other side. But there is no consensus on that. That is the central problem. We are ready to move.” Fichtinger has offered a new trial date for the next few days. “There is no feedback yet.” There were warning strikes and demonstrations on Advent Saturday. The Christmas activities have not yet suffered.
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.
