Budget Debate: Civil Servants Insist on Agreed Increase

The civil servants are not willing to reopen the agreed salary settlement to facilitate budget consolidation. In a "X" post by the Public Service Union (GÖD) on Thursday, it stated: "The salary settlement is decided and stands." The agreement stipulates that for 2026, salaries will be adjusted 0.3 percent above inflation, after being increased by the same value below inflation this year.

Wifo Chief Gabriel Felbermayr Advocated for Lower Settlement

Wifo Chief Gabriel Felbermayr advocated for a lower settlement this week. Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) then suggested that it could be discussed if there is a general willingness for restraint in the negotiations of the social partners. At the same time, he stood by the decision: "One should adhere to laws as much as possible."

The GÖD made it clear on Thursday that they see no reason for restraint. The salary settlement is "an expression of appreciation for the work of those who ensure the functioning of our country." Public employees are reliable: "They must also be able to rely on negotiation results and legislative decisions."

The Green Party, which co-negotiated the salary agreement as the then governing party, supported the civil servants' union on Thursday. "The considerations to take away the well-deserved salary increase from teachers, police officers, and kindergarten educators are an expression of absolute disregard for the enormously important work of these professional groups," criticized the Green education spokesperson Sigrid Maurer in a statement.

(APA/Red)

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