Protest storm in front of Semperit headquarters: Employees demand fair wages!

Protest storm in front of Semperit headquarters: Employees demand fair wages!

On Tuesday morning, Semperit's headquarters in Vienna-Favoriten was the scene of a loud and urgent protest. Dozens of employees gathered in front of the Am Belvedere 10 building to fight for higher salaries and better working conditions. The protest not only took place near Vienna's main train station, but also received international attention, as the Polish union described the event as an "information event".

The demonstrating employees used an impressive repertoire of noise instruments: vuvuzelas, drums, flags and banners that read things like "We want wage increases, not handouts!" and “No exploitation!” wore. Pyrotechnics were also used to draw attention to the demands. This situation is part of a broader conflict, as Semperit has rejected the union's demands as "economically unsustainable", while the company emphasizes that it wants to manage the crisis together with its employees.

Demands and backgrounds

The concerns of the employees are clearly defined: They are about fair wages and recognition for the work they do. At the Hückelhoven-Baal site, for example, where 210 employees are employed, employees have been fighting against inadequate working conditions and a lack of collective bargaining for years. Here the problems come to a head in unfair wages and unsafe jobs. The works council and the union are demanding higher wages and better working conditions, while a collective agreement that had actually been promised was withdrawn by management.

Martin Droigk, union secretary of the IGBCE, hopes that the top management in Vienna will give in after a 72-hour industrial dispute. Otherwise the industrial action could continue. However, Semperit has already introduced inflation bonuses and increased vacation entitlement, which further complicates the negotiations. For example, the minimum vacation entitlement has been increased from 24 to 30 days since the end of 2022.

International context and trade union history

The protest in Vienna is part of a larger trend that shows how important unions are in securing labor rights and fair conditions. Trade unions have a long history in Europe; They were re-established in most of the occupied zones after the Second World War. A look into the past shows that... planet-wissen.de Trade unions not only fought for reductions in working hours and wage increases, but also for the introduction of minimum wage regulations.

Especially in today's world, when many employees are affected by uncertainty and a decline in traditional industries, the role of trade unions is becoming increasingly crucial. Their achievements, such as the enforced five-day working week and the statutory continued payment of wages in the event of illness, are of enormous importance for many employees.

It remains exciting to see how the situation at Semperit will develop further. Pressure from employees and ongoing demands for fair working conditions could eventually force management to take action. It is clear that the issue not only affects current employees, but will also shape future generations.