Carinthia on the start: wage negotiations and reforms for the future!

Carinthia on the start: wage negotiations and reforms for the future!

On September 4, 2025, the political autumn campaign took place in Carinthia, in which important issues, such as the upcoming wage negotiations, were treated. Clubobmann Markus Malle commented and emphasized that a wage adjustment would cost the state of Carinthia around 30 million euros a year. "We have to make courageous decisions for the future," Malle said to those present and made it clear that reforms were necessary to develop Carinthia in the right direction. The governor of the governor Martin Gruber joined this idea and emphasized the enormous potential of the tail of Carinthia. His goal is to transform the state from the most beautiful to the strongest in Austria.

At the meeting, reference was also made to the importance of reforms in business and location policy. Malle, in his role, reminded those present to the important function of the media as a "fourth power in the state" and put the need for fact checks. Gruber also undertaken to encourage everyone involved to actively work for Carinthia's positive development.

Public service salary negotiations

In connection with the wage negotiations, it turned out that the state of Carinthia will take over the result of the salary negotiations at the federal level. From January 1, 2024, around 12,000 State and KABEG hospital staff will receive a salary increase of 9.15 percent. The total costs of these adjustments are around 86 million euros. This increase is widely regarded as an expression of appreciation for the employees and is part of the country's commitment to cushion the financial burdens from the high inflation and the wave of inflation.

The salary negotiations were run between the state of Carinthia and the public service union and contained negotiation participants such as LH Peter Kaiser and LHStV. Martin Gruber. The negotiations were accompanied by an appeal for joint efforts to implement necessary reforms. In order to relieve the state budget, a reform committee is also set up to optimize personnel management and reduce the job plan.

Future salary increases

There are already other salary adjustments for 2025, which are to be negotiated in autumn 2024. These adjustments are discussed depending on the financial situation of the country. An average increase of 3.5 percent is determined, with social staggering is planned: lower income benefits more with an increase of at least 82.40 euros to a maximum of EUR 437.80. An increase is planned for 2026 that corresponds to the inflation plus 0.3 percent.

The negotiations took place under difficult economic framework conditions, with an assumed economic growth of -0.6 percent. Werner Kogler, the Federal Minister of Art, Culture, Public Service and Sport, and Gunter Mayr, the Federal Minister of Finance, both emphasized the importance of the public service and the need for social fairness. The positive conclusion of these salary negotiations gives officials and employees in the public service the necessary relief and shows that an agreement can be reached despite difficult circumstances.