Social Economy Collective Agreement: Strike Again from Tuesday

After the failure of talks in the fourth round of negotiations last Friday night, 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. Moreover, the strikes are lasting longer," announced GPA chief negotiator Eva Scherz on Tuesday to the APA. "Employees are giving us feedback that they expect a fair offer from employers and are also ready for further measures in January if no agreement is reached." It remains that the strikes will be "noticeable," but the health and dignity of 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 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. "It will not be possible without the employees taking a big step towards us," she emphasized.

The last offer was: As of April 1, 2026, the 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, the collective agreement wages and salaries are to increase by 1.7 percent, and the 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, valuing a respectful climate.

Offer for Employees Insufficient

For the GPA, this offer is still insufficient, 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 definitely not be reached this year. Although a date for the fifth round of negotiations is still pending, it will definitely take place in January.

The Green Party leader Leonore Gewessler, meanwhile, addressed the state governors in an open letter, in which she appealed to "reverse the cuts in the social sector and strengthen social cohesion." Gewessler sharply criticizes cuts in social assistance, care, and social associations: "Every time the red pen is applied to the weakest, social coldness becomes visible not only in budget tables - but in the fates of our fellow human beings," the letter states.

(APA/Red)

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