GPA Pushes for 4% Wage Increase in Private Health and Social Sector
The GPA, Austria's largest trade union, is gearing up for wage negotiations in the private health and social sector. Despite a potential renegotiation of the retail collective agreement due to high inflation, the GPA is pushing for a real wage increase and improved working conditions.
GPA chief negotiator Eva Scherz has confirmed that the social sector remains unaffected by any crisis and skilled workers are still in high demand. The union is seeking a 4 percent wage increase, matching last year's agreement, which was secured after demonstrations and work stoppages. This demand is above the rolling inflation of the past 12 months and includes improvements in working hours and conditions.
The 'Arbeiterwohlfahrt e.V.' (AWO), representing employee representatives in the sector with 130,000 employees, is backing this demand. The first real negotiating round is scheduled for October 21. Meanwhile, a final decision on reopening the trade KV, the collective agreement for retail employees, will be made on October 17, pending the release of final inflation figures. If the inflation rate is 3 percent or more in the period from October 2024 to September 2025, the agreed increase for 2026 must be renegotiated.
The GPA is committed to securing a real wage increase and improved working conditions for employees in the private health and social sector. With the first negotiating round approaching, both sides are preparing their positions. The outcome of the retail collective agreement renegotiation will also have implications for future wage negotiations.
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