Austrian hospitality union vida protests stalled collective‑bargaining, warns of Hungarian labour loss

Around 300 workers and union members demonstrated in Lannzplatz, setting up a “human table” with suitcases to highlight the stalled collective‑bargaining talks for Austria’s hotel and gastronomy sector. The vida union says the current employer offer – 2.9% to 3.6% wage increase – does not match the 3.6% inflation rate, leaving the lowest‑paid group at roughly €1,645 net per month. Union leader Eva Eberhart warned that a deal that deepens real‑wage losses would push more staff out of the industry.

The negotiations have been at an impasse since March, and vida fears a growing shortfall of staff, especially the roughly 5,000 Hungarian workers employed in the Burgenland tourism market. The union estimates up to 1,000 of these cross‑border employees could return to Hungary if wages remain low, compounding an existing labour shortage that already sees fewer apprentices and declining employment numbers.