Fighting workers demand fair wages in the electrical sector

Fighting workers demand fair wages in the electrical sector

Vienna, Österreich - On June 5, 2025, important negotiations are due in the electrical and electronics industry. The fifth round of negotiations for the collective agreement (KV) will take place on Friday. Infineon in particular, a flagship in the industry, will be the focus. In the last rounds, the employee representatives have obtained a strike approval and are fighting against the employers. However, they argue that they need a moderate conclusion due to the current recession and rising unemployment.

The current offer of employers, represented by the specialist association of the electrical and electronics industry (Feei), amounts to a maximum wage and salary increase of 1.5 percent. However, this number is significantly below the rolling inflation rate of 2.76 percent, which is considered unacceptable by the unions Pro-Ge and GPA. Both unions exclude a degree under the inflation rate.

strong reactions to the employer offer

In the run -up to the crucial negotiations, the negotiators of the unions were disappointed with the previous offer. Eva Scherz, the negotiator of the GPA union, described it as a disrespectful provocation. The negotiator of the GPA, Karl Dürtscher, died at the end of May, which also burdens the negotiations. Employee representatives warn that an offer of 0 percent for economically battered companies could result in consumption retention and loss of income.

claims by employee representatives

In addition to the required wage increases, the employee representatives strive for changes in framework law, including the easier accessibility of the sixth vacation week. In addition, an increase in shift work is required, whereby the allowance for the second layer is to be raised to 1.50 euros per hour and for the third layer to five euros per hour.

In the context of a Europe -wide increase in living costs, the situation in Austria is not isolated. A study by University of Europe shows that inflation is increasing steadily in many parts of Europe. In particular, the Covid 19 pandemic and the increased energy prices as a result of the Ukraine conflict have tightened the economic situation. In this critical situation, unions doubt the traditional negotiation method of fixed wage increases and instead demand flexible solutions such as automatic wage indexing that can react to future inflation rates.

The upcoming negotiations are therefore not only important for the electrical and electronics industry, but also reflect the challenges of employees in an amexual economic environment.