Chamber of Labour and trade union: Two superpowers in the social partnership
They represent the interests of employees in Austria: the Chamber of Labour and the trade union. Both stand by the employees when it comes to their rights and good working conditions. Nevertheless, they are not the same. Why they are strong together and how they differ.
Good to know
Chamber of Labour (AK) and trade union – what is the difference? This question is on the minds of many who are considering joining the vida trade union, for example. You are automatically a member of the AK if you are employed in Austria. As a legal representation of interests, it is part of the state and offers numerous important services - from employment law and tax advice to consumer protection. The union, on the other hand, is an association that you can join voluntarily. The individual trade unions of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) are GPA, GÖD, Younion, vida, PRO-GE, Bau-Holz and GPF. They are trying to push through concrete improvements for employees in their assigned industries.
"Why should I join the union, I am an AK member anyway?". We often hear this question. Yes, membership in the AK is important. However, only the union can actively change working conditions and sits at the table in collective bargaining negotiations.
AK and vida: Two organisations with different tasks
The Chamber of Labour (AK) is anchored in law and represents all employees in Austria. It offers free advice on legal issues, helps with problems with the employer and is politically committed to workers' rights. It can defend existing laws, but its experts are also involved in legislative reviews. As a "House of Knowledge", the AK examines laws, prepares studies and provides employees with a wealth of information.
The trade union vida is the driving force when it comes to concrete improvements in your everyday work:
- We negotiate collective agreements – and always for the benefit of the employees.
- We ensure that wages and salaries rise and thus purchasing power is maintained.
- We are committed to ensuring that existing benefits such as holiday and Christmas bonuses are not lost.
- We organize works councils and are therefore directly active at your workplace.
No holiday pay without a union
What many people don't know is that holiday and Christmas bonuses are not statutory benefits – they are part of the collective agreement. And who negotiates it? The union. Working time regulations, allowances or days off are also the result of tough negotiations, not an automatic legal entitlement. Without us, there would be many things that are taken for granted in Austria today.
Closer – for better working conditions
As the vida trade union, we are active where the shoe pinches: in the companies and industries of our members - from care to tourism to transport. Our functionaries know the challenges on the ground because they themselves come from the industry. We support works council elections and support incumbent works councillors with training, information material and a large network. As a result, we are active exactly where the employees are and where the shoe pinches; at their workplace.
The AK secures. The union is changing.
The AK is your reliable support in case of legal problems – but without the trade union vida there will be no real improvements now and in the future. We stand in the tradition of the workers' movement and at the same time actively shape the future of work. We negotiate new framework conditions and are committed to social justice.
➡️ That's why: become a vida member!
Because only together with many can we achieve a lot.