KV negotiations successfully concluded: the more than 128,000 Austrians working in the metal industry can look forward to a decent salary increase.
The PRO-GE trade union was able to conclude the first round of collective bargaining for 110,000 workers and 18,000 apprentices in the metal trade on Monday evening. The collective agreement covers many different professional groups such as electrical engineering, metal technology, mechatronics, automotive mechanics and the group of plumbers.
“The agreement in the metal trade, negotiated in a social partnership, permanently strengthens the purchasing power of the workers. For the 18,000 apprentices, a great package with strong increases and a free climate ticket could also be put together,” says PRO-GE national chairman Rainer Wimmer.
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As in the metal industry, the 12-month inflation used for negotiations in the trade was 6.3 percent (months September 2021 to August 2022). “Since overpayments are rarer in the metal industry, the PRO-GE negotiating team focused on increasing the collectively agreed minimum wages,” the union says.
The KV minimum wages will thus increase by eight percent from January 1st. The new minimum wage will be EUR 2,234.52 in the future. Actual wages will be increased by 7.1 percent.
Apprentice package with climate ticket
The apprentice income will be increased by up to 10.2 percent. Apprentices in the first, second and third year of their apprenticeship also have the opportunity to receive an Austria-wide climate ticket, which is paid for by the companies. If apprentices have already bought a climate ticket, the costs of 821 euros will be refunded.
Allowances increase by up to 8.3 percent
The assembly allowance will be increased by 8 percent to one euro per hour, the distance allowance will be increased by up to 8.3 percent, the overnight stay allowance and the dirt, difficulty and danger allowance (SEG) will be increased by 7.1 percent. As already agreed in the previous year, the night work allowance and the allowance for the third shift will be increased in stages up to 2024 to exactly 3.016 euros per hour. The allowance for the second shift will be increased to one euro by 2024.
The result at a glance:
➤ Collectively agreed minimum wages + 8 percent
➤ New minimum wage: 2,234.52 euros
➤ Actual wages: + 7.1 percent Increase in apprentice income to: – 800 euros in the first year of apprenticeship (+ 10.2 percent), 1,000 euros in the second year of apprenticeship (+ 9.4 percent), 1,300 euros in the third year of apprenticeship (+ 7th .9 percent) and 1,750 euros in the fourth year of apprenticeship (+ 9.2 percent)
➤ Assembly allowance is increased to one euro (+ 8.6 percent)
➤ Small distance allowance is increased to 10.40 euros (+ 8.3 percent)
➤ Average distance allowance is increased to EUR 26.40 (+ 4.7 percent)
➤ Large distance allowance is increased to 54 euros (+ 7.1 percent)
➤ Lodging allowance: + 7.1 percent
➤ SEG allowances: +7.1 percent
➤ Cost reimbursement for the Austria-wide climate ticket for apprentices in the first to third year of apprenticeship.
➤ Free time option: Instead of the actual wage increase, more free time of 10 hours and 39 minutes per month is possible.