When justice is a matter of the heart

In a new series of our podcast "vidaHören", we tour Austria and get to know the state chairmen of the trade union vida. In the second part, we go to the north of our country. We ask Horst Pammer, Regional Chairman of vida Lower Austria, and Gerhard Siegl, Regional Chairman of vida Upper Austria, in front of the vida microphone. Personal, approachable and with clear words, both talk about strikes, solidarity and strong trade union work. What connects them? The commitment to fair working conditions, the power of community and the courage to change. We talk about what moves people, what the working day of a trade unionist looks like, why wage restraint is the wrong way to go and why a union is always worthwhile.

Growing up with a union

From dispatcher to trade unionist – that's the story of Horst Pammer and Gerhard Siegl. Full speed for justice is their mission – and has been for many years, both of whom grew up with the union in their parents' homes. Since 2010, i.e. four years after the founding of the trade union vida, Horst Pammer has been the regional chairman of vida Lower Austria. Gerhard Siegl took over the chairmanship of vida Upper Austria on May 8, 2024, on his wedding day - "there was double the joy," Gerhard Siegl smiles.

Two federal states, one mission

Whether in Linz or in St. Pölten – Horst Pammer and Gerhard Siegl face the same challenges: persistent inflation, precarious employment, the threat of social cuts. How to deal with it is teamwork. Lower Austria and Upper Austria are not only geographically close, but also act as a trade union unit: "The strong network of the vida trade union knows no national borders," Horst Pammer and Gerhard Siegl agree.

With brain, attitude and humor

The everyday work of a trade unionist is unpredictable – and that is exactly what makes it so appealing, the two vida state chairmen enthuse. Company visits, collective bargaining negotiations, and political work are only a part of it. Horst Pammer and Gerhard Siegl are particularly proud of the strong cohesion of employees and pensioners, the fight against poor working conditions and of turning committed colleagues into real trade unionists. Trade union work is much more than bargaining. It is a daily commitment to justice – with heart, mind and attitude. And sometimes with a dose of humour, for example when Horst Pammer says with a wink that he is probably "the Austrian with the most strike minutes".