Chief employer negotiator calls for a paradigm shift: “The union should also keep an eye on the future of the location”
Vienna (OTS) – The chemical industry has no understanding for the union’s blockade in the fourth round of negotiations for a new collective agreement. “We both bear responsibility for the companies as well as for the employees and their jobs as well as for Austria as a business location
says Berthold Stöger. He is an employer negotiator in the Austrian Chemical Industry Association (FCIO). In view of the industry’s poor economic data and the falling and likely further falling inflation, Stöger calls for a paradigm shift: “The employee side should also start to keep an eye on the medium and long-term future.
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It is incomprehensible that the fourth round of negotiations failed despite an improved offer from the employers. Against this background, Stöger appeals to his negotiating partners “not to close their eyes to the harsh economic reality. Unfortunately, the poor order situation in the chemical industry continues. After a production decline of 10.4 percent in the previous year, incoming orders continue to decline. The forecasts of economic researchers do not assume a rapid economic recovery either
“, remembers Berthold Stöger. In addition, Austria is one of the negative leaders in Europe when it comes to the increase in (unit) labor costs. The chemistry qualifications of the last two years alone brought employees a total increase of 15.3 percent.
At the request of the employer, the qualification should definitely be socially balanced. Therefore, lower incomes, which are more affected by inflation, should be raised more significantly. The industry’s offer is an average increase of 4.3 percent plus a one-off employee bonus of €500 net per employee. The chemical industry is already one of the employers with the best-paying jobs for its approximately 50,000 employees and is one of the front runners when it comes to bonuses and bonuses.
The collective bargaining negotiations for the chemical industry in Austria will continue on May 14, 2024.
About the FCIO:
The Austrian Chemical Industry Association (FCIO) is the legal representation of the interests of the chemical industry in Austria. The approximately 240 member companies produce pharmaceuticals, plastics and plastic products, fibers, paints, fertilizers and organic and inorganic chemicals in various sectors. The industry’s almost 50,000 employees produced goods worth over 20.8 billion euros in 2022. The FCIO is committed to an economically, ecologically and socially sustainable and attractive chemical location in Austria with a research and technology-friendly environment in which the chemical industry can use its innovative strength to develop and deliver solutions to key social challenges. www.fcio.at
Questions & Contact:
FCIO Association of the Austrian Chemical Industry
Dorothea Pritz
+43(0)5 90 900-3364
pritz@fcio.at
www.fcio.at