After more than 20 rounds of negotiations, the management of Austrian Airlines (AUA) and the Vida union have agreed on a new collective agreement for on-board staff, which averts the threat of strikes for the time being.
The agreement provides for a gradual increase in salaries for all around 2400 flight attendants and around 1000 pilots, with a total average increase of 19,4 percent over three stages until January 2026. The co-pilots and pilots can expect an average increase of a further eleven percent . The agreement also includes a so-called peace obligation, which prohibits strikes during the term of the collective agreement. This is intended to prevent operational disruptions such as the flight cancellations that occurred in the spring as a result of strikes.
However, the agreement is still subject to a positive vote by the Vida union, whose members will vote on the result in the coming days. The works council and the union recommend approval because the agreement offers significant salary increases above the inflation rate and other benefits such as a reduction in workload and improved security.
The three-year term of the contract not only provides planning security for the company, but is also intended to ensure reliable flight operations and strengthen passenger confidence. In view of the agreement, WKO Aviation Chief Günther Ofner is calling for an end to the union actions that could endanger the future of AUA and thousands of jobs. He is particularly critical of the union's methods, such as the survey described as a "fake survey", and stresses the disproportionate demands of some pilots who already earn high salaries. Ofner warns of the negative effects on the aviation location and tourism, as well as the damage to the employees affected.
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