Working for the large railway family

When Robert Hofmann talks about the railway, his eyes sparkle. It's about passion, responsibility – and a deep understanding that mobility is more than infrastructure. It is freedom. In the podcast "vidaHören", the native of Upper Austria talks about his professional beginnings as a dispatcher and about his adventurous journey to become Chairman of the Central Works Council of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG. A conversation about change, cohesion and the power of a strong trade union.

A decision with consequences

Sometimes a big story starts with great frustration. On a Sunday in 2008, Robert Hofmann sits dissatisfied in his work shift. He writes a message to his works council – and gets an answer that changes his life: "If you want to change something, become a works councillor!" Today, Robert Hofmann sits at the headquarters of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG in Vienna. As Chairman of the Central Works Council, he and his ZBR team are the contact person for over 18,000 employees.

Many courses for the future

Railway stations, lines, buildings, terminals, telecommunications systems and hydroelectric power plants – the employees of Austria's largest mobility company, ÖBB, plan, build and operate the entire railway infrastructure in our country – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Eight of the ten largest occupational groups at ÖBB are located in ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG – shunting, dispatching, construction technology, construction management, control and safety technology and more. With over 1,800 apprentices, ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG is Austria's largest apprentice trainer for technical professions.

Like a big family

"Railways feel like a big family to me," says Robert Hofmann with shining eyes. It is the many cogs, the many occupational groups that interlock and that together make up the rail system, emphasizes the Chairman of the Central Works Council of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG. Robert Hofmann loves the working world of railways. "Because it's a system that only works if every cog is working. Because in every shift you feel that you have a responsibility – for trains, for safety and for freedom."

New roadmap for a new era

Austria is number 1 in the European Union when it comes to rail travel. In 2024, more than 500 million people travelled with ÖBB – a record in the company's more than 100-year history. Speaking of success – just in time for the timetable change in mid-December, ÖBB is celebrating a historic event: the Koralm Railway is being opened. 130 kilometres of new track, 50 kilometres of tunnels, 23 railway stations, more than 100 bridges and underpasses have been realised by ÖBB employees over the past 27 years.

At ÖBB, the change of time is noticeable. New technologies create new opportunities. Digitization is rapidly changing the world of work. The generational change is progressing. The need for personnel is exploding – in the middle of it all Robert Hofmann and his ZBR team. Together, they ensure that the workforce does not get lost in all the change.

Strong works council – day by day

There are many challenges for Robert Hofmann and the ZBR team. They are called upon when it comes to the "small and big" worries in everyday working life, in the event of accidents at work, harassment at work or even in the event of personal strokes of fate. For Robert Hofmann, there is not one moment that shows how important a strong works council is. There are thousands of them. The chairman of the central works council is particularly proud of the new remuneration models for dispatchers and shunting employees, which were fought for together with the union. "A milestone after years of stagnation!"

Without a union? Unthinkable!

Robert Hofmann has now been employed by the railway for 18 years – eight of which he was "leased", i.e. handed over to the trade union vida. A time he wouldn't want to miss. And Robert also remained loyal to his railway at vida – as the responsible department secretary. The strikes in 2018 and 2022 were particularly formative for the railway worker. But if we do, it's because it's necessary – and because we stick together!"

For Robert Hofmann, "his" trade union vida offers many advantages – not only in terms of shopping and leisure:

• vida offers legal protection that understands railways.
• vida delivers strong collective bargaining agreements.
• vida stands up publicly when the workforce needs support.
• vida prepares works councils with education.
• vida fights for social justice.

More cohesion – and more women

For the future, the Chairman of the Central Works Council of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG has a clear message and a clear mandate for the top management: "We need a corporate culture that lives cohesion - and we need better framework conditions in the fight for the best skilled workers on the rails." Robert Hofmann knows: Mobility is freedom. "ÖBB must be an employer that also enables its employees to have this freedom!" Robert also has a clear goal in mind for himself and his ZBR team: "We need more women. We need more female voices in the employee representatives. This is what I am committed to – today and in the future!"