Keeping Austria on track

Whether it's commuters in the early morning, families on their way to their summer holidays or freight trains supplying companies all over the country - every day, thousands of railway workers keep Austria moving. Especially in the peak travel season, it becomes clear how indispensable their work is.

Two voices of solidarity 

Railways connect people – and it only works because thousands of employees work day after day with competence, responsibility and passion to ensure that Austria remains mobile. Right now, in the biggest generational change in recent decades, the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) are facing a decisive challenge: experienced railway workers are retiring, while at the same time many new colleagues are starting their service.

How can knowledge be preserved, good working conditions further developed and cohesion strengthened across generations? Gerhard Tauchner, chairman of the vida railway department, and Josef Wiesinger, chairman of the vida pensioners, talk about this in this special episode of "vidaHören".

Together, the two former train drivers take a look at the change in the world of work at ÖBB, the role of works councils and the union, the shortage of skilled workers, fair working conditions and the question of why the union also accompanies its members in retirement. An episode about responsibility, solidarity and the people who keep Austria on track day after day.

Good working conditions do not come about by themselves

The working world of railways is constantly changing. Digitalization, new technologies and increasing mobility needs are changing everyday working life. At the same time, railway companies are competing for qualified specialists. If you want to attract people to Deutsche Bahn in the long term, you have to create attractive working conditions.

These include

• fair pay,
• plannable free time,
• secure jobs,
• development opportunities,
• Respect for the employees and
• real co-determination.

But none of this is automatic.

What seems to be taken for granted today – from collective agreements to improvements in working hours and income – was fought for by employees together with their works councils and the union. Especially in times of generational change, it is therefore evident how important a strong representation of interests is.

Passing on knowledge. Shaping the future

When hundreds of new colleagues start working every year, it takes more than good training. Experienced employees are needed to pass on their knowledge. Works councils are needed to provide orientation. And we need a trade union that ensures that good working conditions are not lost, but are further developed. Because the challenges are also changing.

The young generation rightly expects predictable leisure time, development opportunities and a good work-life balance. At the same time, work on the railways remains characterized by a high level of responsibility, shift work and 24-hour operation. Reconciling these interests is one of the central tasks of the coming years.

A strong union doesn't end with the last day of work

However, the cohesion does not end with retirement. The transition from professional life to a new phase of life brings with it many questions:

• How does retirement work?
• What are my entitlements?
• What support is available for care, health or social law issues?

The vida trade union also accompanies its members beyond their professional lives. With advice, legal protection, information events and a strong network of pensioners, it remains the point of contact for all questions relating to the new phase of life. In addition, there are local groups throughout Austria with regulars' tables, excursions, cultural and leisure activities. After all, community is an important building block for quality of life, especially after working life.

Stronger together – today and tomorrow

The generational change at ÖBB will not be decided in the boardrooms alone. Every day, it decides where railways are made: on locomotives, in workshops, in signal boxes, in operations centres and in the works council offices. To ensure that the railways remain safe, modern and attractive in the future, good working conditions, fair wages and employees who stand up for each other are needed. This is exactly what the trade union vida is campaigning for. Because one thing is clear: a strong railway needs strong employees. And strong employees need cohesion.