Immediately prior to a planned large-scale demonstration with around 30,000 civil servant demonstrators, a salary agreement was finally reached on Tuesday. GÖD boss Eckehard Quin sees a “fair conclusion”. The GÖD trade union had previously complained about stalled salary negotiations and called for a protest. The major demonstration by the civil servants has now been cancelled.
The government and public employees’ unions managed to reach a salary agreement on Tuesday, just before a planned protest rally in central Vienna. This is valid for two years. This year, inflation will remain below inflation by an average of 3.5 percent; next year there will be an addition of 0.3 percent to inflation. GÖD boss Eckehard Quin sees a “fair conclusion”.
Graduation is socially distributed. The increase is a minimum of 82.40 euros and the maximum is 437.80 euros. At the end of 2025, an additional 0.3 percent must be added to inflation, for which the period October 2024 to September 2025 is taken.
Graduating under difficult circumstances
General conditions were particularly difficult this year given the poor budgetary situation and the recession. A change also took place at the Ministry of Finance. The union’s militancy was likely further heightened by the election of federal employee representatives, which will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, with Quin sharply rejecting accusations of staging over Tuesday’s vote. The employee representatives were annoyed that it had taken a quarter of a year for the discussions to even begin.
Civil Service Minister Werner Kogler (Greens) was also relieved about the deal. In a press release, he emphasized that the agreement was reached against the background of difficult circumstances and considerations. All too often it is forgotten that public services compete with the private sector. He must therefore remain an attractive employer through salary agreements. With the deal, the government ensures social justice and relief, Finance Minister Gunter Mayr emphasized.
Negotiators only made progress when they met in secret away from the public on Monday for a meeting that union representatives said lasted well past midnight. This morning the conclusion was drawn and the large meeting in front of the Federal Chancellery, where up to 30,000 people were expected, was canceled at short notice. Some buses from the federal states were already on their way to Vienna.
Conclusion comparable to last year’s Metaller negotiations
Quin recalled that a similar approach with a two-year completion period had been chosen during the Metaller negotiations last year. Economic conditions had to be taken into account and so a mode was found that also took into account “budgetary needs”. Nevertheless, the purchasing power of employees has been secured.
The president of the municipal employee union Younion, Christian Meidlinger, sounded the same. It was a “very good conclusion”. Because you cannot forget the starting position with the call for a zero-wage round. The solution that has now been found also contributes to the stability of the budget. During their joint appearance, the union representatives sought to demonstrate the breadth of workers they represented. They were accompanied by representatives from various sectors in professional clothing, from waste collection to garden maintenance.
Politicians and unions outraged by RH boss
The employee representatives have entered into collective bargaining negotiations in advance, ready to fight. The big talking point in the first round of negotiations was an interview by the Crown with Auditor General Margit Kraker, in which she called for the suspension of the pay increase for civil servants. Politicians and unions were irritated by this. August Wöginger, the club chairman of the ÖVP, responded sharply that Kraker should concentrate on her tasks and not do politics. The Court of Auditors is an oversight body of Parliament and not a political body. “The amount of salary adjustments in the public sector is determined by politicians and not by the Court of Audit,” said Wöginger.
Decision of the National Council in December
Before the resolution can enter into force, confirmation is still required from the National Council, which should follow in December. Although the coalition parties no longer have a majority, given the social democratic participation on the trade union side, it can be assumed that the SPÖ will go along with the decision.
Whether state and municipal employees will receive the same raise, as is often the case, will be decided in each state. In total, this concerns approximately 324,000 people affected.
Source: Krone
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