Strong voices from the south
Uschi Heitzer and Gernot Acko on the power of the trade union and the fight for justice.
vida Listen | Podcast
In a new series of our podcast "vidaHören", we tour Austria and get to know the state chairmen of the trade union vida. We start our journey in the south and ask Uschi Heitzer, regional chairman of vida Carinthia, and Gernot Acko, regional chairman of vida Styria, in front of the vida microphone.
From profession to vocation
Uschi Heitzer began her professional career as a medical technician in a hospital in Friesach. Gernot Acko fulfilled his dream job and became a train driver at ÖBB. Her path to the union began with a strong sense of justice – a drive that still accompanies her today. Since 2022, Uschi Heitzer has been chairwoman of vida Carinthia, making her the first woman to head a vida state organisation. Gernot Acko took over the chairmanship of vida Styria in 2024, but has been part of the large and strong vida family for many years.
Carinthia meets Styria
In the first part of our new podcast series, two committed personalities from two federal states meet - united by a common mission: social justice. At "vidaHören" we talk to Uschi Heitzer and Gernot Acko about why trade union work is more than just a job, what their everyday work as state chairperson looks like and why membership in the vida trade union is doubly worthwhile.
We shed light on the different working environments that vida represents – from the healthcare industry to railways and tourism. It is about co-determination, industrial action and the strong commitment of the trade union vida for its members. We ask: What is currently on people's minds? What wishes and concerns do they have when they turn to the union? And why is it so important to hold the "flag of solidarity" high day after day?
You can hear this and much more in this episode of "vidaHören".
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