Salary increase agreed

Major demonstration in Vienna: 30,000 protesters expected

GÖD boss Eckehard Quin sees a "fair deal".

(Bild: APA/ALEX HALADA)

Just before a planned large-scale demonstration with around 30,000 public servants, a salary agreement was reached on Tuesday. GÖD boss Eckehard Quin sees a "fair deal". The GÖD union had previously complained about stalled salary negotiations and called for a protest. The large-scale demonstration by civil servants has now been canceled. 

The government and the public servants' unions managed to reach a salary agreement on Tuesday just before a protest rally planned in Vienna's city center. This is valid for two years. This year, the average salary will remain below inflation at 3.5 percent; next year, 0.3 percent will be added to the inflation rate. GÖD boss Eckehard Quin sees a "fair agreement".

The agreement is socially staggered. The minimum increase is EUR 82.40, the maximum EUR 437.80. In the agreement for 2025, a further 0.3 percent is to be added to inflation, which is based on the period from October 2024 to September 2025.

Conclusion under difficult framework conditions
The framework conditions were particularly difficult this year due to the bleak budget situation and recession. There was also a change in the Ministry of Finance. The union's fighting spirit was probably also boosted by the federal staff representation elections, which will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, although Quin sharply rejected the accusation that the elections on Tuesday were staged. The staff representatives were annoyed that it had taken a quarter of a year to even enter into talks.

Civil Service Minister Werner Kogler (Greens) was also relieved about the agreement. In a press release, he emphasized that the agreement had been reached against the backdrop of difficult framework conditions and trade-offs. All too often it is forgotten that the public sector is in competition with the private sector. It must therefore continue to be an attractive employer, including through salary agreements. With this agreement, the government is ensuring social fairness and relief, emphasized Finance Minister Gunter Mayr.

Civil Service Minister Werner Kogler emphasized that the agreement had been reached against the backdrop of difficult framework conditions and trade-offs.

(Bild: APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER)

The negotiators only made progress when they met secretly away from the public eye for a round on Monday, which, according to the union representatives, went on until well after midnight. This morning, the negotiations were then called off and the large rally in front of the Federal Chancellery, which was expected to attract up to 30,000 people, was canceled at short notice. Some buses from the federal states were already on their way to Vienna.

Conclusion similar to last year's metalworkers' negotiations
Quin recalled that a similar approach with a two-year agreement had been chosen for the metalworkers' negotiations the previous year. The economic conditions had to be taken into account and a method had been found that also took into account the "budget constraints". Nevertheless, the purchasing power of the employees is secured.

Christian Meidlinger, chairman of the municipal employees' union younion, echoed similar sentiments. It was a "very good deal". Because one should not forget the starting position with calls 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 made an effort to demonstrate the breadth of the employees they represent. They were accompanied by representatives of various sectors in professional dress, from refuse collection to garden maintenance.

Politicians and trade union outraged by RH boss
The employee representatives were already ready for battle in the run-up to the collective bargaining negotiations. A major topic of discussion at the first round of negotiations was an interview in the "Krone" newspaper with the President of the Court of Audit, Margit Kraker, in which she called for the wage increase for civil servants to be suspended. Politicians and the trade union were irritated by this. Kraker should focus on her tasks and not on politics, reacted August Wöginger, the executive chairman of the ÖVP, sharply. The Court of Audit is a supervisory body of parliament and not a political body. "The level of salary adjustments in the public sector is decided by politicians and not the Court of Audit," said Wöginger.

Decision by the National Council in December
For the decision to come into force, it still needs to be confirmed by the National Council, which should follow in December. Although the coalition parties no longer have a majority, it can be assumed that the SPÖ will go along with the resolution in view of the social democratic participation on the trade union side.

Whether state and municipal employees receive the same increase, as is so often the case, must be decided in the respective states. A total of around 324,000 people are affected.