Social Economy Collective Agreement: Strike Again from Tuesday

After the failure of talks in the fourth round of negotiations on the night of last Friday, the employee side wants to increase the pressure. Specifically, strikes will take place in numerous facilities from Tuesday to Thursday. Negotiations will continue in January.

This marks the second time during this year's collective bargaining negotiations that work stoppages have occurred. "Already, more strike meetings have been registered than took place during the last wave. The strikes are also lasting longer," announced GPA chief negotiator Eva Scherz on Tuesday to the APA. "The employees are giving us feedback that they expect a fair offer from the employers and are also ready for further measures in January if no agreement is reached." It still applies that the strikes will be "noticeable," but the health and dignity of the clients will be maintained at all times.

Social Economy Collective Agreement: Employers Offer Only 1.7 Percent

The employer side understands the employees' demands but points to the poor external circumstances. This year is not about large margins, but about securing what has been achieved and improving working conditions, said the chief negotiator for the employers, Social Economy Austria Managing Director Yvonne Hochsteiner, after the failed fourth round last week. SWÖ Chairman and Volkshilfe Managing Director Erich Fenninger also repeatedly emphasized recently that they would like to meet the union's demands but cannot.

At the beginning of the month, there were already hourly strikes in several facilities in the private health, care, and social sectors. The unions GPA and vida continue to insist on a four percent wage increase for the approximately 130,000 employees. The employer side understands the employees' demands but points to the poor external circumstances.

On Tuesday, Social Economy Austria Managing Director and Chief Negotiator Yvonne Hochsteiner emphasized once again in a conversation with the APA: "It's not about what we want, but what we can do." She understands the request but must focus on securing facilities. "There is no other way than for the employees to take a big step towards us," she stressed.

The last offer was: As of April 1, 2026, collective agreement wages and salaries are to increase by 2.3 percent. This corresponds to an increase of 1.72 percent for the entire year 2026, as no increase is planned for the first three months. The actual wages and salaries are to increase by 2 percent as of April 1, 2026. As of January 1, 2027, collective agreement wages and salaries are to increase by 1.7 percent, and actual wages and salaries by 1.5 percent. The unions rejected this offer as "insufficient." A next negotiation date in January is still being sought. Hochsteiner emphasized that they are always open to discussions, with a respectful atmosphere.

Offer for Employees Insufficient

For the GPA, this offer is still insufficient, and it appears "de facto not increased" compared to the last round of negotiations, it was said. "The employers apparently confuse a collective agreement negotiation with a self-help group. Instead of complaining to the unions about the situation, the employers must finally take a decisive stand towards politics," said GPA negotiator Eva Scherz after the failure of the fourth round.

A conclusion will certainly not be reached this year. Although a date for the fifth round of negotiations is still pending, it will definitely take place in January.

(APA/Red)

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