First Austria-wide works council at KLIPP
At the hairdresser chain KLIPP, a works council was elected for the first time in the company's 35-year history. This is an important step for almost 1,300 employees.
Establishment of works council
The company KLIPP was founded 35 years ago. It currently employs almost 1,300 people in its approximately 160 hairdressing salons throughout Austria, including around 130 apprentices. In order to strengthen the rights of employees, there have now been works council elections for the first time. The newly elected works council around its chairwoman Sandra Wimmer wants to help shape the future of the company so that KLIPP becomes an even better employer. For example, Wimmer wants to work to ensure that salon managers who want to take advantage of this are provided with their own company mobile phone. "I wanted to become a works council member in order to actively participate in the company in the interests of the employees, to stand up for them and to be able to support them with worries or problems with my team. Challenges are there to be solved," she says on the occasion of the founding of the works council. Equal treatment of employees in all federal states is also important to her, as there are still differences here. "I also see my work on the works council as a great opportunity for further training and look forward to participating in collective bargaining negotiations."
Employee participation is a top priority
"This important step towards strengthening workers' rights was made possible with the support of the vida trade union, the management of KLIPP Frisör and the great commitment of the committed employees," says Christine Heitzinger, Chairwoman of the Services Department in the vida trade union, thanking the newly elected works council team and the management for the good cooperation. The fact that the establishment of the works council was also supported by the management shows that the importance of employee participation and representation is a top priority within the company, Heitzinger is pleased to say.
"Since the founding of KLIPP Frisör, employee interests have always been at the center of corporate decisions. The overpayment of all employees above the collective bargaining wage since 2023 is just one proof of this. With the establishment of a works council, we expect to be able to continue on this path," says Ewald Lanzl, founder and managing director of KLIPP Frisör.
Solidarity interests of the workforce
"As the works council, we are the legal representative of the solidarity interests of the workforce. We are the link between the employees and the management and will contribute to good communication and information between both sides," said the elected works council chairwoman Sandra Wimmer and her works council team of nine colleagues, looking forward to their tasks.
