Austrian Red Cross 2026 collective bargaining agreement declared binding for non-unionized ambulance and rescue services nationwide
The Austrian Federal Mediation Office has declared the collective bargaining agreement (Kollektivvertrag) between the Austrian Red Cross and unions GPA and VIDA binding as a mandatory statute (Satzung) for all ambulance and rescue transport service providers nationwide, effective 1 September 2026. This affects employers and employees in these services who are not already covered by another collective agreement.
What changed
The 2026 Austrian Red Cross collective bargaining agreement, signed by the Austrian Red Cross with unions GPA and VIDA, has been declared a binding statutory regime (Satzung) by the Federal Mediation Office. This makes its wage and working-condition rules mandatory for all ambulance and rescue transport employers and workers in Austria, even those not directly party to the agreement.
Who is affected
Employers providing ambulance and rescue transport services across Austria, and all their employees and apprentices working in these services—but only if their employment is not already covered by another valid collective agreement. The regime excludes mountain rescue, water rescue, cave rescue, air rescue, and rescue dog units.
Scope and exclusions
The statute applies to the entire Republic of Austria for ambulance and rescue transport services only. Certain provisions of the original agreement are excluded (including Sections 1, 2, 38b, and 47, and specific regional annexes for Lower Austria, Salzburg, and Tyrol). Each affected state's regional supplementary terms apply within that state, subject to the same exclusions.
Effective date and duration
The statute took effect on 1 September 2026 and remains in force for as long as the underlying collective agreement itself is valid.