Allinger, Bernadette

Austrian apprentices have a pragmatic-optimistic outlook on their future, as shown by the first Austrian Apprenticeship Monitor.

Recent findings from the Working Climate Index show the average working week remains at 42 hours and that working overtime is prevalent.

A general election was held in Austria in September 2013 at the end of the five-year parliamentary term. As in 2008, the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ [1]) and the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP [2]) won the largest share of the vote, although both parties lost seats. The right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ [3]) came third but increased its share of the vote. After several weeks of negotiations, a new ‘grand coalition’ was agreed between the SPÖ (with 26.8% of the vote) and ÖVP (24%). The two parties now hold 99 out of 183 seats in parliament. [1] http://www.spoe.at/ [2] http://www.oevp.at [3] http://www.fpoe.at/

A recent study in Austria has shown that part-time workers have significantly lower hourly wages than full-time workers. The study comes from the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection (BMASK [1]). It is based on an analysis of the Structure of Earnings Survey 2010 data, which is conducted every four years by Statistics Austria [2]. [1] http://www.bmask.gv.at/ [2] http://www.statistik.at

Austria’s annual main bargaining round takes place in the autumn and traditionally starts with the strong and influential metalworking industry. For the second time in a row, the Federal Economic Chamber’s (WKO [1]) six subsectoral employer organisations conducted separate negotiations, having, in 2012, left the bargaining community to which they had belonged for 40 years (*AT1212011I* [2]). The unions strongly opposed this step, having adopted a resolution in September to maintain a communal collective agreement. They also condemned employers’ aspirations to move important decision-making away from collective to company level. [1] http://www.wko.at/ [2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/industrial-relations-undefined-working-conditions/employers-forge-ahead-in-metalwork-wage-bargaining

In Austria’s retail sector, more than half a million white-collar employees, mostly women, will be covered by a new, innovative two-year collective agreement concluded between the social partners on 13 November 2013.

A recent survey by the Institute for Empirical Social Studies (IFES [1]) looked at the provision of ‘all-in’ contracts in Austria. Under this type of contract, the agreed salary is intended to cover employees for any overtime worked. Generally an ‘all-in’ contract would include a lump sum to cover any extra hours. [1] http://www.ifes.at/

A new working time model for people who work on Saturdays in Austria was unveiled on 8 July 2013. The alternative to existing Saturday work rules was proposed by social partners, along with the commerce section of the Federal Economic Chamber (WKO [1]) and the Union of Salaried Employees, Graphical Workers and Journalists (GPA-djp [2]). [1] http://www.wko.at/ [2] http://www.gpa-djp.at/

On 4 June 2013, two new measures intended to help reconcile work and family life for employees with relatives needing care were agreed upon by Austria’s Council of Ministers following extensive preparatory work by the social partners. The measures, which make it possible for workers to reduce working time or take leave to care for a relative, will be implemented on 1 January 2014.

Negotiations in Austria between the sectoral social partners responsible for collective bargaining in the journalism sector started in 2009. The Austrian Newspaper Association (VÖZ [1]) and the Union for Salaried Employees, Journalists and Graphical Workers (GPA-djp [2]) have finally signed a new collective agreement which will include online journalists for the first time. [1] http://www.voez.at [2] http://www.gpa-djp.at