Austrian metalworkers’ inflation-beating rise


Austrian unions PRO-GE (manual workers) and GPA-djp (non-manual) have agreed an average 2.7% pay increase in the metalworking industry at time when prices are rising by 1.1% (October). 


Since 2012, the employers have insisted in negotiating separately for six separately sectors in the industry. As in previous years, the settlements covering 195,000 workers are identical — they all start on 1 November and run for 12 months. 


Basic pay is increased by between 2.6% and 2.8%, but the lowest minimum rate is increased by 4.5% to €2,000 a month. 


€1 = 86p on 19 November