vida Magazine 2 | 2026

Early in the morning in the heart of Vienna. While the city is still asleep, operations are in full swing at the Hotel Astoria. Tourism in Austria is booming. But behind the scenes, the work is often hard. Many employees are leaving the industry. Not so Bettina, Ramiza, Vivienne, Tomasz and Arber. They work at the Hotel Astoria and show that good work is possible. And they know what skilled workers need to stay. More on this on pages 4 to 8.

It is also worth taking a closer look at the training. The new Apprentice Monitor shows that many young people are satisfied with their apprenticeship. At the same time, fewer and fewer companies are providing training, although they complain about a shortage of skilled workers. One thing is clear: If you want to have skilled workers tomorrow, you have to train today. More on this on page 17.

And something else is becoming increasingly clear: In times of rising prices and major challenges – for example in care, education or climate protection – fair framework conditions are needed for everyone. This also means that the super-rich must make a fair contribution in the future. This is because employees and consumers in particular currently bear the largest share of the tax burden. More on this on pages 10 to 11.

Back to Bettina and her colleagues. They know what keeps them at the Hotel Astoria. And they know what contribution "their" vida makes to good and healthy work. That's why they are also members of the union – because people count here.

Thank you for being part of the vida family. We wish you an exciting read!

Articles in this issue:

• Welcome to the Tourism Team: We know what skilled workers need to stay – a visit to the Hotel Astoria in Vienna
• Our welfare state: Social benefits are not charity
• Work pays, wealth hardly pays: Why millionaire taxes are needed
• A day that shows what cohesion does: A strike report from the religious hospitals in Upper Austria
• New president on track: Gerhard Tauchner in action for fair, safe and social working conditions in Europe
• Because justice is not a coincidence: Martina Reischenböck from the Barmherzige Schwestern Ried Hospital in a portrait of the works council
• The law at your side: an interview with vida legal expert Robert Steier
• The last word is given to the member: AUA flight attendant Christina Bös

More exciting contributions as well as competitions with great prizes are waiting for you!

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Write to us how you like the new vida magazine. We look forward to your feedback, tips and suggestions. Our editorial address is presse@vida.at.