19 percent higher salary

AUA and trade union reach agreement in wage dispute

The breakthrough came after more than 20 rounds of negotiations.

(Bild: APA/Robert Jäger)

Austrian Airlines (AUA) is no longer threatened by another strike for the time being. AUA management and the vida trade union reached an agreement on a new collective wage agreement for cabin crew on Thursday after more than 20 rounds of protracted negotiations. The negotiated increase is quite respectable ...

The salaries of all around 2,400 flight attendants and around 1,000 pilots will increase by an average of 19.4 percent in three stages from April 2024, January 2025 and January 2026, as the negotiators announced on Thursday evening. The salaries of co-pilots will be increased by a further eleven percent on average.

The agreement is subject to a positive vote by the vida union, AUA explained in the press release. The vote will take place in the coming days. The works council and union are recommending approval this time, the union told APA.

"Peace obligation" agreed
In addition to the salary increases, a so-called "peace obligation" was agreed, AUA announced. This stipulates that no operational disruptions in the form of strikes may take place during the term of the collective agreement. A strike and several works meetings in the spring led to hundreds of flight cancellations and caused millions in losses.

"Negotiations are a tough struggle to meet the interests of all parties involved in the best possible way. With the current agreement, we have succeeded in balancing the needs of employees with the interests of business predictability. With the peace obligation agreed for the first time, our passengers can once again rely on us," said AUA management about the agreement.

A so-called peace obligation is intended to ensure smooth flight operations in future.

(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

The breakthrough came after more than 20 rounds of negotiations.

(Bild: APA/Robert Jäger)

"Increase above the inflation rate"
"This negotiated solution means a significant increase in salaries above the inflation rate for AUA cabin crew," said Daniel Liebhart, Chairman of the Aviation Section of the vida trade union, in a press release. Inflation over the entire term will be compensated according to the actual amount.

"The three-year term fulfills a requirement of the employer and not only guarantees planning security for the company, but also ensures high-quality and reliable flight operations for passengers. This means that travelers can book their tickets with Austrian Airlines in the coming years without any worries," Liebhart concluded.