The Austrian chemical sector avoided a social conflict at the last minute. Indeed, in this rather prosperous sector, negotiations rarely drag on this long. Thus, the social partners reached this 2012 agreement after warning strikes and four meetings. In the end, the sector’s 43,000 employees get a 4.35 percent increase. At the end of April, unions were still hoping for a 5.8 percent increase while employers wouldn’t go higher than 3.8 percent. The provisions of this agreement, retroactively in force since May 1, 2012 and for one year, are as follows: “limit remuneration” (Ist-Löhne) for the different categories of the sector’s pay scale will increase by 4.35 percent. Minimum wage negotiated at regional or company level will increase by 4.5 percent, as well as apprenticeship pay and bonuses for night and shift work. Besides, parental leave allowing women to spend up to two years at home per child (Karenztage) will be taken into consideration, up to 16 months, for the calculation of wage increases and retirement. This provision, included in most recent agreements, is one of the guiding threads for collective bargaining 2011/2012 in Austria.
ar, are as follows: “limit remuneration” (Ist-Löhne) for the different categories of the sector’s pay scale will increase by 4.35 percent. Minimum wage negotiated at regional or company level will increase by 4.5 percent, as well as apprenticeship pay and bonuses for night and shift work. Besides, parental leave allowing women to spend up to two years at home per child (Karenztage) will be taken into consideration, up to 16 months, for the calculation of wage increases and retirement. This p
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