Vienna Airport is hopeful for a resolution to the AUA conflict, which has been ongoing for three months and has caused frustration among passengers, tour operators, and travel agencies. The airport boss Günther Ofner believes that a solution must be reached between AUA management and the union for the sake of all involved parties. If an agreement is not reached and another strike occurs, the AUA conflict could have long-lasting negative effects on the domestic market.
The negotiations began in mid-January, with discussions taking place on Friday but no negotiations occurring as neither side was willing to make concessions that could result in losing face. Currently, there is no date set for another round of negotiations, and the union has not announced any further strikes. However, an agreement was reached on Thursday between the union and the employers’ side at Vienna Airport that will provide a seven percent increase for employees starting May 1st based on the inflation rate of 6.34 percent over the past twelve months.
One point of contention in these negotiations is whether or not the five percent offered by AUA includes future inflation expectations. Resolving this issue will require good will from both parties involved in the negotiations. It is important to address this concern as it can impact employee compensation if inflation rates deviate from expectations.
A fixed inflation surcharge clause could be included in the agreement to ensure that employees are compensated adequately if inflation rates deviate from expectations. This would require cooperation from both sides to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that addresses both employee compensation and operational costs for AUA management.
It remains to be seen what impact this ongoing strike will have on Vienna Airport’s bottom line in terms of lost revenue due to decreased passenger traffic and damage to its reputation as a hub for international travelers.
Overall, finding a resolution to this conflict will require both sides to come together with an open mind and willingness to compromise in order to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome that benefits all parties involved.
