Why is the works council important?

A strong works council is important because it ... represents your interests vis-à-vis your employer and advocates for fair working conditions. He is your mouthpiece and thus your point of contact in the company if you need support. ... can have a say in the company . The works council has co-determination rights in various areas, such as hiring, terminations or working hours. ... advocates for employee protection . The works council supports the development of protective measures and ensures that they are observed. ... mediates in conflicts between you and your employer. ... contributes to an appreciative working atmosphere . The works council can do this – and even more – because it has the law and the union behind it.

What are the tasks of a works council?

All tasks of works councils have one goal: to enforce fair and appreciative working conditions for colleagues. Works councils ... pay attention to compliance with collective agreements and labour law. ... negotiate works agreements. ... make suggestions for improving working conditions and employee protection provisions . ... have a say in the design of workplaces . ... use their right to have a say in personnel and economic matters . For example, they have the right to comment on dismissals and dismissals and to challenge them in court. ... are informed about all matters affecting employees.

Works council

Q: What is a Youth Confidence Council?

The Youth Confidence Council (JVR) is an important point of contact for apprentices. He advocates for the concerns of the apprentices with the management. He has an open ear and advises the apprentices personally at all times. Decisions are often made in companies that also affect young people. Only if the Youth Confidence Council gets involved and brings in the point of view of the apprentices can solutions be found that are also okay for the apprentices.

Strong representation in the workplace

The works council advocates for the rights of employees in a company. It consists of committed colleagues who are elected in the works council election .

Works councils have one goal: a better quality of life for employees. They fight for secure jobs, fair wages and social justice.

The vida trade union works closely with the works councils, supports them in their work on the works council and offers a wide range of further training opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

The works council is made up of colleagues who are elected in a works council election. He represents your interests as an employee.

A strong works council is important because it

... represents your interests vis-à-vis your employer and advocates for fair working conditions. He is your mouthpiece and thus your point of contact in the company if you need support.
... can have a say in the company. The works council has co-determination rights in various areas, such as hiring, terminations or working hours.
... advocates for employee protection . The works council supports the development of protective measures and ensures that they are observed.
... mediates in conflicts between you and your employer.
... contributes to an appreciative working atmosphere .

The works council can do this – and even more – because it has the law and the union behind it.

All tasks of works councils have one goal: to enforce fair and appreciative working conditions for colleagues.

Works councils

... pay attention to compliance with collective agreements and labour law.
... negotiate works agreements.
... make suggestions for improving working conditions and employee protection provisions.
... have a say in the design of workplaces .
... use their right to have a say in personnel and economic matters. For example, they have the right to comment on dismissals and dismissals and to challenge them in court.
... are informed about all matters affecting employees.

The management of a works council is the responsibility of a chairperson, who is elected by the members of the works council. This person represents the works council externally, chairs the meetings and coordinates the work of the body. The works council chairperson works closely with the other members of the works council to represent the interests of employees in the best possible way and to ensure cooperation with the employer.

The Youth Confidence Council (JVR) is an important point of contact for apprentices. He advocates for the concerns of the apprentices with the management. He has an open ear and advises the apprentices personally at all times.

Decisions are often made in companies that also affect young people. Only if the Youth Confidence Council gets involved and brings in the point of view of the apprentices can solutions be found that are also okay for the apprentices.

The Youth Confidence Council (JVR)

People with disabilities are supported in their companies by the disability representatives. They help with questions, problems, worries and fears. They also promote inclusion and equality.

Would you like to be a mouthpiece for your colleagues and become a representative for the disabled? We'll help you with that!

Disability Representative (BVP)

There is no works council in your company yet?

Set up a works council now

Contact

Do you have questions about works council work? Get in touch with us!

Find out more here

Establish a works council

Works council election

Works council work

Further education

A voice is needed for co-determination, which must be raised in order to make oneself heard. A voice gives power and leads to change.

Jutta Allmendinger, Soziologin

Strong representation in the workplace

vida Listen | Podcast

Works council pays off

When everything runs smoothly at the Lidl logistics center in Großebersdorf, Manuel Pospisil has a good day. The trained paramedic, who actually wanted to become a police officer, makes sure that food gets to the shelves safely - and that no one is left behind.

KV negotiation

Collective agreement for retail workers: Trade union vida demands fair wage increases

Workers in commercial warehouses and transport are indispensable for supply. The collective bargaining negotiations for the industry will start on 3.11.

Elementary Education

Trade unionists handed over demands to Education Minister Christoph Wiederrkehr

Trade unions and works councils are campaigning for uniform training and job titles for kindergarten assistants throughout Austria.

Collective bargaining agreement

Railway collective agreement: plus 3 percent, higher allowances and more vacation

A fair agreement takes into account the achievements of railway workers and brings tangible improvements.

KV negotiation

Railway CT Negotiations 2025

Campaigning for a new collective agreement for the railway industry. Improvements in the collective bargaining framework law on rail.

KV Autumn

Works Council Conference Security and Cleaning

Record participation and clear demands: With 111 works councillors from security and cleaning, more participants than ever before came to the works council conference of the vida trade union on 1 October 2025, to which the building management department had invited.

Online Info Session

Closure of Wizz Air's Vienna Base

Wizz Air is closing its base in Vienna. On 26 October 2025, two aircraft will be withdrawn from Vienna and the routes to Bilbao and London Gatwick will be discontinued. The remaining three aircraft and all other routes from Vienna will cease operations in March 2026.

Aviation

Growing air traffic pushes Austro Control to the limits of its capacity – there is a shortage of 80 air traffic controllers

vida calls for relief and training offensive: Staff shortage in air traffic control is a Europe-wide problem – Austria should initiate solutions

Aviation

Lufthansa restructuring must not endanger Austrian location

vida warns against displacement of Austrian employees due to Lufthansa restructuring.

Freelancers

Collective agreements for freelancers possible from 2026

vida welcomes legal innovation. Platform workers such as bicycle messengers urgently need better protection.

ICE incident

ICE incident near Vienna: vida calls for reappraisal and more train personnel for safe evacuations

Security needs clear structures and more skilled workers

Tip

Tipping: New regulation brings social security and transparency

Uniform lump sum tip secures pensions, unemployment and sickness benefits. And it gives employees in the gastronomy and hotel industry insight into tip payments.

Railroad

Rail safety must not be sacrificed to competition

vida warns against softening of central standards.

Minimum Truck Age

No youth experiment at the wheel of 40-ton trucks

The trade union vida welcomes the clear no by Transport Minister Peter Hanke to the EU Commission's plans to allow the driving of trucks from the age of 17 in the future.

Railroad

Rail is growing – staff are lacking: Why the railways need prospects now

Good figures should not hide the fact that the system is running out of people

vida Listen | Podcast

"Different together – strong together"

How ÖBB, ÖZIV and vida are working together to promote inclusion and diversity in the world of work. A podcast special.

Cover Story

With heart and attitude

Two people, two professions, one goal: Katarina and Philip in action between adrenaline, empathy and system boundaries.

Collective bargaining agreement

Airport collective agreement 2025: plus 3.3 percent for 6,500 employees

Trade unions vida and GPA, together with the Chamber of Commerce, reach a quick agreement for airport employees.

vida Listen | Podcast

Someone who steers and moves

Works council member and bus driver Anil Zümrüt in an interview about the street workplace and his commitment to the workforce.

European Dialogue

Inclusion instead of exclusion

From 18 to 20 May, representatives of the representatives of the severely disabled of DB AG and ÖBB as well as the disability policy committee of the EVG met in Brussels.