"I want every voice to be heard!"
ÖBB youth councillor Sophia Ebner on travel dreams, apprentice wishes and union friends.
vida Listen | Podcast
Sophia Ebner is young, committed and full of energy. The 19-year-old from Salzburg works as a travel consultant at ÖBB Personenverkehr AG. As a youth councillor, she advocates for the concerns of her young colleagues - with heart, humour and a clear vision: a working world in which everyone is seen and heard. In an interview with "vidaHören", Sophia talks about her apprenticeship, the wishes of the apprentices and why she would not want to miss "her" union.
From dream job to vocation
Sophia actually wanted to become a police officer. But then she discovered an advertisement from the ÖBB - and found her new passion: making travel dreams possible for others. The Salzburg native completed her apprenticeship as a mobility service clerk with enthusiasm - and was also taken on after graduation.
"I am a youth councillor because I want every voice to be heard. I see myself as a helping hand of the works council for the young people."
Mouthpiece for apprentices
Sophia is not only a travel consultant, but also a youth councillor. She was approached by a colleague from the vida trade union in Salzburg: "He said I was open-hearted and committed – and that motivated me to stand for election." In the meantime, Sophia is the contact person for apprentices and youth councillors of ÖBB Personenverkehr AG throughout Austria. Whether it's questions about the collective agreement, working hours or events – Sophia listens, informs and mediates. It is particularly important to her that young voices also carry weight: "Regardless of whether someone is in the first year of their apprenticeship or has already completed their apprenticeship – every opinion counts."
Trade union work that connects
Sophia is convinced that trade union work is not only political, but also personal. She loves the exchange with other young people – whether at the Sun & Fun Challenge or at the international meeting with trade unions from Germany, France and Switzerland. "You get to know so many new people – that's really cool." Serious topics are not neglected either - from fair working conditions and tough collective bargaining negotiations to new job profiles and suitable protective clothing for apprentices. And if Sophia has a legal question, she can always rely on "her" vida.
