Feminine-Courageous-Strong

Leonie knows what she wants. The 21-year-old likes to discover new worlds and does not shy away from detours. "After graduating from high school, I moved from Klagenfurt to Vienna to study astrophysics. But I quickly realized that studying was not for me and finally applied for an apprenticeship," she says. Leonie is now in her third year of training as an application developer at Austria's largest railway company, ÖBB, and is creating new galaxies herself.

Ready for the next level

It is the versatility that Leonie loves about her training. "We develop apps and websites. In doing so, we work creatively and with brains. I like this combination." Leonie masters one challenge after the other to reach the next level. "Next year it's all about the whole thing. Then my challenge is called LAP," she smiles. LAP stands for final apprenticeship examination. Leonie is a little nervous about it, but she also stands her ground in this case – as the only woman in her course.

'Cause I'm a girl

Gender makes no difference. But there are still professions that are male-dominated. At ÖBB, the proportion of women is just over 16 percent, among apprentices just under 19 percent. "There is still a lot of room for improvement," Leonie confirms. By 2026, ÖBB wants to significantly increase the proportion of women at all levels. Leonie feels valued and treated equally among her male apprentice colleagues. Nevertheless, she is pleased that ÖBB is offering its own "girls' project". "Social workers come to us in the training workshop, are available to help with questions or problems and also offer special courses, such as self-defense," she reports.

Universe for Justice

Leonie has discovered another new world for herself with the trade union. "I became a member right at the beginning of my apprenticeship and shortly afterwards I was able to experience the big railway strike at first hand. That was pretty exciting," she looks back. For Leonie, it is important that people stand up for each other, that they stand up together when it comes to the rights of employees. "With the union, you feel like you belong. And above all, there is someone who understands and accompanies you." Leonie has found many new companions in her trade union family. For a year now, she herself has been strongly committed to justice. As a youth councillor, Leonie is there for the concerns of her apprentice colleagues and always has an open ear for their wishes.

Everything has to be possible

Leonie herself also has wishes, namely for the new government. "I hope that we don't take steps backwards, but steps into the future. I hope that it no longer makes any difference whether you are female, male or diverse, that everyone has the same opportunities, that young people are motivated and encouraged to discover new professional worlds for themselves. Everything must and should be possible for everyone!" What the future holds for Leonie is still written in the stars. But one thing is certain: Leonie will continue to go her way confidently and self-determinedly.

On the stage of life

Aglaia has also discovered many paths and worlds for herself in her life. In her twenties, the Viennese was on the road professionally on big stages and was often the only woman among many men. "I worked in event and stage construction, saw and experienced a lot and had a lot of action in addition to a lot of good music," she looks back on the time. Above all, however, Aglaia was able to organize the work flexibly and thus take care of her seriously ill mother. "I took over her care at a young age and accompanied her until the end." After taking over the care of her grandmother and after the birth of her second son, Aglaia set a new course and found her professional home in the second chance education. "At the time, I thought to myself: Now I'm going to do it right and care professionally." Aglaia completed her training as a qualified nurse in her mid-30s and has not regretted this step for a single day.

A big heart for everyone

Today, Aglaia is 47 years old and works at the Barmherzige Schwestern Hospital in Vienna. "I work in the interdisciplinary outpatient clinic. There's no shortage of action here either," she says with a smile. Together with her colleagues, Aglaia takes over patients who are admitted by ambulances from all over Vienna and takes care of acute first aid. In doing so, it works with a wide variety of medical departments. "This diversity is also reflected in the job description of nursing," says Aglaia, speaking from experience. As a practice instructor, she passes on her knowledge to the next generation, which is a matter close to her heart. Aglaia wants to change something with her work, to make a positive difference – for everyone. That's why she's now doing an MBA in health management "on the side".

Constant balancing act

When asked how she reconciles work and family, Aglaia answers: "You manage and balance a lot. My husband, to whom I am incredibly grateful, takes care of a lot of things. He was already a great support during my training. Without him, none of this would have been possible." In care, you not only have to be goal- and solution-oriented, you often have to act very quickly and flexibly. Aglaia and her colleagues give everything and more. "Many are already working at the limit. They stand in for others, take on services, sacrifice days off. This is not only at the expense of private life, but also at the expense of health," Aglaia knows. Vacation planning is also always a challenge. "Care must be guaranteed day and night 365 days a year, including public holidays."

No machines

For Aglaia, nursing is a very fulfilling profession despite the many challenges. But it fails because of the framework conditions. "There is a lack of staff and time," emphasizes Aglaia. The shortage of staff in nursing is partly artificially created "to promote more productivity, because there are no uniform regulations on how many staff are deployed," she criticizes. Together with the trade union, Aglaia is campaigning for a uniform, Austria-wide staffing ratio. "We work with and on people, not on the assembly line in a factory. Classic calculation models do not work here. Nursing simply needs more time and more staff."

Strong allies

To make a difference, Aglaia has also joined the union. Shortly afterwards, she was asked by her works council whether she would like to join the works council team. "Now I'm not only a union member, but also a works council member out of conviction," she smiles. Aglaia's colleagues come to her with a wide variety of questions. It's not always about work, sometimes it's about private things. Here, too, she tries to stand by her side. Just like the union does. "We must show solidarity, especially when it comes to our rights, our democracy and our welfare state. Strong allies are needed for this."

Where are the solutions?

Above all, however, Aglaia sees politics as responsible. "I would like to see a government that finally works constructively on solutions. I would like to see framework conditions that ensure that a self-determined life is possible for everyone and that everyone has the best possible starting position. I expect, for example, that childcare places will be adapted to real working hours, that a work-life balance will be possible without financial losses and that working mothers and fathers will finally be destigmatised. In the professional world, parenthood should be an advantage and not a flaw."

One woman, many professions

Marlene is a good example of what is possible when you dare to break new ground. As a young girl, in 1979, the Viennese began an apprenticeship as a banker. At that time, she also joined the union, "without knowing what was actually good in it," says the now 63-year-old mischievously. But Marlene was not loyal to the bank for too long. "I got bored quite quickly," she reveals. For some time she worked at various sausage stands and was also employed at the traditional Viennese café Schwarzenberg. "It was fun, there was always something going on," she says with shining eyes. But when Marlene was old enough to take the taxi driver test, she could no longer be stopped.

In a taxi through the night

Marlene spent many nights in her taxi in Vienna. "No, I wasn't afraid," she says. "I always had great passengers, nice colleagues, and asserted myself when I had to." Even with a baby bump, Marlene sat behind the wheel. "My boss installed a sports steering wheel in my VW Passat so that I had enough space," she says with a wink. Marlene was 24 years old when she had her first daughter. And even in her second pregnancy, she sat behind the wheel. "I had found someone in my private environment who would take care of my first daughter. That wouldn't have been possible with kindergarten back then. The opening hours were even more devastating than today."

Life in municipal housing

With the birth of her third daughter, Marlene has changed professionally again. "In 1990 I became a caretaker at the municipality of Vienna. From then on, it was a lot easier for me to reconcile work and family," she smiles. Many of her colleagues were women. "We even had a doctor with a doctorate who became a caretaker because of her children," Marlene recalls. In Vienna's 11th district, Marlene was the "mistress" of three municipal housing staircases, each with six floors. 60 tenants lived there. "I knew most of them, I was always there for their concerns," Marlene looks back. Actually, only the winter months were exhausting. "I had to go out early in the morning and clear the paths of snow and ice. After all, the sidewalk had to be finished by 6 a.m., and it was, for over 30 years," Marlene reports proudly.

Good soul for many

Marlene is also proud of her second profession, which she still practices today and which fills her with a lot of joy. "I have been a volunteer at the Samariterbund since 1999 and was the one who measures blood pressure for many old people in our municipal housing and checks whether everything is okay." Marlene also looked at her colleagues. As a member of the works council, she stood by them strongly. Marlene has always been lucky enough to earn the same as her male colleagues in all her professions. "And if it wasn't like that at first, then I got on my feet. But there are many women who don't dare to say anything. That's why the union is needed," Marlene emphasizes. And that's why she is still active in "her" vida in retirement. "I can't do too much on my own. But I can show people where they can get help, where they can turn, and I can listen to them, which is important and already helps many people."

Encouraging in the future

Marlene has changed professions many times in her life, but she has always remained loyal to her union. Marlene has been a member for over 40 years. She has given birth to four daughters, and four grandchildren fill her life. "The fifth is on the way," she smiles. "I am firmly convinced that we need people who also encourage the next generation and show that together you can make a difference. That's why it's important and natural for me to be part of the union even in retirement."