Booming railway industry: vida calls for fair working conditions and high safety standards

The railway industry in Austria is growing rapidly: More and more companies are entering the market, passenger numbers are reaching record levels and the need for qualified employees is continuously increasing. For the trade union vida, it is therefore clear that fair working conditions, high safety standards and good pay must keep pace with the growth of the industry.

Gerhard Tauchner, chairman of the railway department in the trade union vida, warns against making savings at the expense of employees in view of the increasing competition in rail passenger transport. "The railway is a booming industry with 93 companies, passenger records and increasing employment. In view of this positive trend in the railway industry with additional offers for passengers, all the more attention must be paid to ensuring that fair competition does not forget the working conditions and good wages of hard-working railway workers," emphasizes Tauchner.

Safety on the railways requires good working conditions

For the trade union vida, safety and working conditions are directly related. High-quality training, sufficient staff and reliable framework conditions are central prerequisites for safe rail operations.

Uniform standards for training and safety throughout Europe are particularly important. "A safe railway sector is only possible if it is also designed in a socially sustainable way – throughout Europe," emphasizes Tauchner.

vida is therefore demanding, among other things, forgery-proof digital working time recording for train crews. At the same time, the union is clearly against weakening the existing language requirements for train drivers at EU level.

Competition must not take place at the expense of employees

From the point of view of the trade union vida, fair competition in the rail sector can only work if comparable rules apply to all companies. Especially in an industry with an acute shortage of skilled workers, attractive working conditions are crucial.

"If the railways are to remain attractive for employees, additional performance must also be worthwhile," demands Tauchner. Competition that is conducted exclusively through pressure on employees and worse working conditions endangers the stability of the entire industry in the long term.

Record figures show the importance of employees

The increasing number of passengers underlines the enormous potential of the railway, but at the same time also makes the central role of the employees visible. Without sufficient staff and long-term strategies, the current success cannot be secured in the long term.

For the trade union vida, it is therefore clear that the future of the railway will not only be decided by infrastructure and investments, but also by the working conditions of those people who ensure safe and functioning rail traffic every day.

"Without better working conditions, good pay, security and long-term strategies, success threatens to wear and tear. The railways can only be as strong as the people who keep them running every day," Tauchner concludes.