Collective bargaining negotiations for approximately 55,000 Austrian railway workers are scheduled to begin on October 12, 2026. Lead negotiator Gerhard Tauchner, the vida sectoral chairman, will represent employees across 98 different railway companies.
The upcoming talks are set against a backdrop of rising costs, as the rolling inflation rate for the past twelve months has exceeded three percent. These negotiations will determine new wage and salary structures for the diverse workforce within the sector.
While the retail sector remains the nation's largest employer, these railway talks are a focal point of the 2026 autumn wage round. Notably, metalworkers are excluded this year following a two-year agreement previously established during the 2025 session.