On Friday, April 24, 2026, the second round of collective bargaining negotiations for Austria’s electrical and electronics industry concluded without an agreement, as reported by multiple Austrian news outlets. The talks, which involved union representatives from PRO-GE and GPA and employer representatives from the Fachverband der Elektro- und Elektronikindustrie (FEEI), ended after failing to bridge the gap between wage demands and employer offers amid ongoing economic pressures.
The negotiations covered approximately 60,000 workers across the sector, according to statements from both union and employer sides during the proceedings. Union negotiators Reinhold Binder of PRO-GE and Eva Scherz of GPA emphasized the need for a “serious offer” on sustainable wage and salary increases, calling the outcome a “decisive” moment ahead of the next scheduled round on April 29, 2026.
Employer representatives, led by FEEI president Wolfgang Hesoun, cited limited financial flexibility, pointing to high operational costs, stagnant order intake from 2025 and renewed inflationary pressures linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. They stressed that any agreement must avoid further burdening companies while aiming to preserve jobs and strengthen Austria’s industrial competitiveness.
The breakdown in talks follows a similar impasse in the chemical industry, where negotiations for around 50,000 workers were halted after employers offered a one-time payment of 250 euros with no lasting wage increase—a proposal unions condemned as disrespectful and inadequate in the face of prolonged inflation affecting real incomes.
In response to the stalled talks in both sectors, union leaders have signaled plans to escalate pressure, including organizing nationwide workplace assemblies if no progress is made in the upcoming electrical industry talks. These assemblies would aim to inform workers about employer positions and discuss potential further actions.
The broader context involves roughly 130,000 industrial workers across five key sectors—chemicals, electrical and electronics, glass, paper, and textiles—whose employers collectively generate over 50 billion euros in annual turnover, representing about a quarter of Austria’s industrial output excluding construction. Unions have framed the current bargaining round as critical for protecting purchasing power, especially for lower-income households still recovering from years of high inflation.
As of April 24, 2026, no further details on the substance of the disputed offers or counteroffers have been made public beyond the confirmed lack of agreement. The next negotiating session is set for April 29, 2026, with both sides urged to return with more substantive proposals.
For ongoing updates on Austria’s 2026 collective bargaining rounds, readers are encouraged to follow official statements from the Austrian Trade Union Federation and industry-specific employer associations.
Share your thoughts on the fairness of wage negotiations in times of economic strain, and help spread awareness by sharing this article with others following European labor developments.