Image: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER
In the struggle to reach a salary agreement for over 430,000 retail employees, the social partners agreed on a new date for talks after the cancellation last week. Negotiations will continue on December 7th, the APA union said. Recently there were warning strikes at over 300 retailers across Austria. “Both sides will have to move, but the Chamber of Commerce even more”said GPA chief negotiator Helga Fichtinger.
If the fifth round fails to bring about a conclusion, the warning strikes would continue the following day. “The employees would be ready”said Fichtinger on Monday. The St. Mary’s Day holiday on December 8th is an important shopping day for retailers in the run-up to Christmas.
While employers originally offered a salary increase of 5 percent and a one-off payment of 800 euros, it is now 6 percent and a one-off bonus of 1,000 euros. The union also moved and reduced its demand from 9.5 percent and a fixed amount of 40 euros per month to 9.4 percent plus a fixed amount of 15 euros. The employee representatives reject one-off payments.
Warning strikes for Christmas business “not helpful”
For WKÖ trade chairman Rainer Trefelik, the union’s warning strikes are “not helpful” in the already tense economic situation of the companies. Foreign online giants would benefit from warning strikes, Trefelik told the APA. The employer blockade in the KV negotiations is “not understandable”replied GPA chief negotiator Helga Fichtinger.
On Tuesday, talks about a new salary agreement in trade failed again in the fourth round. “We have been saying for many rounds of negotiations that we want a socially staggered conclusion”said the GPA unionist.
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