Union Prepares Demonstration and Potential Strike Actions

The Public Service Union (GÖD) has called for protest actions as the government refuses to engage in wage negotiations for the coming year, an act the union views as an attempt to impose a wage freeze. According to a resolution obtained by APA from the GÖD federal conference, the union is demanding a sustainable increase in salaries and allowances to protect and strengthen the purchasing power of all public service employees.

Public sector representatives and staff councils have been asked to hold workplace meetings starting the week of November 18 to discuss the situation and potential actions. The GÖD’s organizational committee is also preparing for a major demonstration in Vienna on November 26. Plans are being made to escalate union actions as necessary.

This year’s negotiations have yet to begin, with the Ministry of Civil Service stating its willingness to negotiate but noting that the process largely depends on the Finance Ministry, which has not yet appointed a representative despite several requests. Civil Service Minister Werner Kogler (Greens) expressed support for starting the negotiations and announced plans to propose meeting dates to both the Finance Ministry and the union.

This year’s negotiations are complicated by budget constraints. The liberal think tank EcoAustria recommended a wage freeze in the public sector, while elections for staff representatives are also approaching, with the union’s planned demonstration set to take place the day before voting begins.

The GÖD is urging the employer to “return to social partnership” immediately, calling the refusal to negotiate “unacceptable.” The union emphasized that “only a collaborative approach can achieve goals that serve everyone’s interests.”