130,000 social workers in Austria win pay rises

On 25 November 2024, social workers across Austria secured a 4 per cent pay rise. In the current social economy, where 70 per cent of workers are women and the majority work part-time, salaries remained below average despite high qualifications and professionalism.

Together, 130,000 social workers and their unions GPA and vida had been pushing for a wage increase, improved working hours and better conditions. But the Austrian Social Economy Employers (SWÖ) had shown no movement on wages, remaining stagnant at the level of inflation (+3.54%).

They therefore decided to escalate their actions and campaigns through nationwide workplace meetings, public demonstrations, and creative protests. The actions included a large-scale demonstration in Vienna on 18 November, a rally in Linz the following day and the “6 Minutes for 6.1 per cent” campaign that had workers pause work for six minutes on 22 November for a wage increase. Their efforts led to the signing of a new sectoral agreement that includes a 4 per cent salary increase.

Oliver Roethig, Regional Secretary of UNI Europa, said: “We congratulate the workers who rallied around wanting to see their essential work recognised. Together they have achieved fairer working conditions.”

Eva Scherz, negotiator for the union and UNI affiliate GPA, explains: “With the salary agreement of plus 4 percent, we are securing the purchasing power of the employees. Especially in these economically challenging times, we ensure that employees can continue to afford their lives.”

“We have also succeeded in the framework law. In this way, we were able to secure more money for stepping in and also achieve a better classification for colleagues in the administration. Only if we continuously improve working conditions can we increase the attractiveness of this important industry,” said Michaela Guglberger, negotiator for the union and UNI affiliate vida.