Vienna Airport is hopeful for a resolution between AUA management and the vida union, as the conflict has heavily impacted the airport and its employees. The AUA negotiations began around three months ago in mid-January, but no negotiations have occurred since then. It seems that neither side is willing to make concessions that could lead to an agreement, as it may result in losing face for one party.
On Thursday, representatives of the employers’ side reached an agreement with the union for a seven percent increase for employees starting on May 1st, based on the inflation rate of 6.34 percent over the past twelve months. However, this agreement does not address the union’s concerns about future inflation being included in the increases offered for later years.
The AUA is offering an eight percent increase retroactively for 2024, with five percent each for 2025 and 2026. The union is concerned that these increases do not keep up with price increases and includes future inflation in the five percent offered for later years. Negotiations are ongoing to address these concerns and include a clause to ensure employees receive a fixed surcharge on inflation in 2025.
If no agreement is reached and another strike occurs, the AUA conflict has the potential to become a negative precedent in Austrian economic history. The outcome of these negotiations will have a significant impact on the resolution of the AUA conflict and its effects on Vienna Airport and its employees.
