Unions wait for better offer

Trade unions are please that public sector-wide pay negotiations are under way this year after the government and regional government employers refused a national deal and unions had to try to negotiate on a regional basis. However, after three rounds of talks the employers have failed to come up with an pay offer for 2014. There have been exchanges on the state of the economy and the public finances and unions are looking to at least protect the purchasing power of public sector workers' pay but so far the government has refused even to make this commitment. [Read more at GDG-KMSfB (DE)->http

The vida services union reports a very high level of support for the three-hour warning strike that took place in the network of religious hospitals in Vienna on 23 November. The action was supported by the Chamber of Doctors which is also calling for higher pay and improvements to working conditions in response to the significant increase in the demands on health services in recent years. Vida is calling for a €500-a-month increase for all workers in religious hospitals across the country and has denounced as wholly inadequate an employer offer of a €50 lump sum that wouldn’t even be paid to

The ver.di trade union reports that the first round of bargaining covering 2.5 million employees in federal government and municipalities ended without any proposals from the employers that would address the cost-of-living crisis or staffing shortages. The union reports survey results showing that over 335,000 workers strongly support the union's demands and that the employers need to take this message seriously. Ver.di is demanding a 10.5% pay increase with a minimum of €500 a month in a 12-month agreement. The collective bargaining result will also cover civil servants, judges and soldiers