The employees of the Vienna Airport subsidiary Vias, which is responsible for security checks, among other things, will receive a one-off payment of around 2022 euros for the second half of 1.400 as cost-of-living compensation. This was announced by the works council and the Vida trade union after the conclusion of the negotiations.

Employee representative Daniel Liebhart is of the opinion that the companies active in Austrian aviation have recognized that the personnel situation is tense throughout the industry. The fact that there hasn't been any chaos so far is attributed to the fact that a lot of overtime is worked by the Vida specialist group chairman. "We are particularly proud of our colleagues who ensure that Vienna Airport is currently one of the most punctual airports in Europe," emphasizes the trade unionist.

"Positive social partner talks" could be held with both Austrian Airlines and Vias. At both companies, this means that one-time payments are initially made to the employees. “At VIAS, which is responsible for security and passenger controls at Vienna Airport, we have already been able to negotiate bonus payments totaling around 1.400 euros for the second half of 2022 with the works council, thus creating an inflationary compensation. We are also in fruitful discussions with the VIAS management to establish a noticeably better wage level in the medium term in order to be able to solve the problem of staff shortages in the security area and ground handling of passengers in the long term," explains Liebhart.

Vida is critical of the fact that Austrian Airlines is still sticking to the savings package that was agreed at the beginning of the corona pandemic. This provides, among other things, that wages are reduced. At the same time, however, the rosters should be full to the brim again. “This puts a double burden on our colleagues, as the skyrocketing inflation of recent months is putting an additional strain on real incomes. However, we are confident that in the coming days or weeks we will be able to present new social partner agreements that will bring relief to the employees in agreement with the company management. Despite all the adversities, the crews show a very strong commitment. This will further stabilize the company economically, so that nothing should stand in the way of further upward wage adjustments”.

“The directly functioning social partnership with Austrian companies and their management is decisive for the fact that the situation at the Austrian airports and at AUA is now better than it was a month ago. It is regrettable and surprising that our actual social partner, the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, has made itself remarkably rare in recent weeks and was hardly noticeable in this important discussion. The past short-time work agreements and the quick and direct joint action with the companies in the last few days now also enables numerous travelers to have a relaxed holiday 'like before'," Liebhart is pleased.