The mood is still steamed, the figures are still dark: the coming autumn wage round is probably a festival for the approximately 320,000 employees in the metal industry and in the metal industry. Instead of chubby salary increases, lean concessions threaten – inflation should not be fully balanced this time.
The domestic industry is in the third year of the recession in a row: in 2023 gross added value of the value of 1.8 percent, even 5.2 percent in 2024. For this year, the WiFo predicts a minus of 1.1 percent. “The cake is becoming smaller and smaller, there is not much to distribute,” says the sober.
Union relies on security instead of combat announcements
Reinhold Binder, head of the pro-ge production union, therefore releases this time with spicy claims. Instead of “it has to rustle in the wallet”, the focus is now on “predictability and security”. Because too high wage levels can quickly become a boomerang – if companies have to remove jobs.
Already in the spring it became clear that the production companies have the cost brake. In the paper industry there were only 2.65 percent more wages – covered with 110 euros gross (see graphic). Crisis companies were even allowed to pay less. The situation was comparable in the electric industry (2.75 percent, a maximum of 115 euros) and the glass industry (2.2 percent, a maximum of 100 euros).
Competition security clause could return
The metal industry could also rely on special rules again. The competing security clause recently used more than 100 companies – 42,000 employees received less money. Binder can imagine a repeat: “A collective agreement has been concluded of an incredible number of gears. The tool case we need in the autumn wage will be huge!”
However, he states that at least low earners and students receive full inflation coverage. And then there is Donald Trump: his new customs limit threats for Europe can also touch Austria in the goal. “We see daily challenges,” says Binder.
Entrepreneurs hope for a pragmatic solution
Christian Knill, spokesperson for the metal -technical industry on the entrepreneurial side, is satisfied with the reserved line of Binder: “It is welcome that Mr. Binder sees it that way.” It is clear to him: wages must remain under inflation. “In short, the situation in the industry is further tense, even if the low hopefully exceeded.”
Knill’s Appeal: Austria must finally get away from the automatic “inflation = full wage compensation”. “We have increased too much compared to other countries in the past three years. Now we have to take countermeasures to remain competitive in the euro area.”
One thing seems certain: nobody wants a huge dispute like three years ago. Binder summarizes it: “There is no reason to argue at all. People want solutions from us!”
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.
