vida calls for better working conditions and higher wages
On the International Day of Professional Drivers, the trade union vida is sounding the alarm: Without far-reaching improvements in wages and infrastructure, the industry is threatened with a massive shortage of personnel.
Professional Driver Day
Precarious conditions for systemically important workers
On the second Friday in May, it's that time again: International Professional Driver Day draws attention to a professional group that was still celebrated as systemically important during the pandemic – and is often ignored again today. We use the day of action to demand urgent improvements for truck drivers.
"It is unreasonable that many truck drivers do not even find a functioning toilet at motorway service stations!"
Sanitary facilities, affordable catering, cooking facilities or protection from heat and cold? None on many routes.
Start wages up – improve working conditions!
In addition to the inadequate infrastructure, vida also addresses the issue of starting wages: Currently, the gross monthly wage is 2,120.98 euros - too little to attract new skilled workers and keep existing drivers in the profession in the long term. Petritsch is therefore already calling for a sharp increase in wages in view of the autumn wage rounds.
EU-wide shortage of 745,000 drivers by 2028
Without structural improvements, the industry is heading for a dramatic staffing crisis: The European Union predicts a driver shortage of 745,000 by 2028. According to estimates, there is already a shortage of around 8,000 drivers in Austria - and the trend is rising. This is because within the next ten years, one fifth of the currently active professional drivers will retire.
No solution through shortage occupation list or red-white-red card
For vida, one thing is certain: The shortage cannot be remedied by political pseudo-solutions such as the shortage occupation list, red-white-red card or the L17 driving licence for trucks. "Only better working conditions can make the profession attractive again," Petritsch emphasizes.
Expanding rest areas – for safety and fairness in freight transport
The expansion of truck parking spaces is also unavoidable from the union's point of view: "Traffic will only remain safe if drivers can comply with their legally prescribed rest periods," says Petritsch. At the same time, vida is calling for strict controls and sanctions to consistently prevent wage dumping and violations of driving and rest times – especially in cross-border traffic.
vida demands for decent working conditions
The trade union vida is therefore calling for a comprehensive package of measures to improve the working and living conditions of professional drivers:
- Every 60 km a rest area with sufficient truck parking spaces
- Free, clean sanitary facilities and showers with 24-hour operation
- Protection against weather extremes (heat, cold)
- Affordable hot meals (e.g. "special menu" for professional drivers)
- Free Wi-Fi up to the driver's cab
- Cooking facilities and washing machines on site
- Adequate lighting and video surveillance for security
- Access to medical assistance via platforms such as DocStop
- Power connection for temperature-controlled transports
- Overview of cheap accommodation for legally compliant weekly rest
- Regular checks to avoid illegal parking
Conclusion: Showing respect means acting
Professional drivers make an indispensable contribution to supplying society every day - even if this is often only noticeable when supermarket shelves remain empty. The time for Sunday speeches is over. Concrete measures are now needed to ensure that this profession offers prospects again.
