About vida

2015 We live solidarity

In 2015, an impressive wave of willingness to help rolled over Europe. Thousands of people sent a strong signal of solidarity and supported refugees in need. Members of a wide variety of professions, volunteers and helpers from private initiatives worked tirelessly. The vida trade union also pitched in: with its own delegation and numerous donations. The vida youth in Burgenland sent a particularly strong signal. It invited 40 young refugees, who had temporarily found a home in Podersdorf, to a joint boat trip on Lake Neusiedl. Because solidarity knows no borders - and it thrives on people who act.

2015 Fair Transport Europe

More than ten million people work in the transport sector throughout Europe. They all deserve fair and equally good working conditions. However, competition between states is increasing wage and social dumping. The trade unions do not put up with this and are therefore launching the "Fair Transport Europe" campaign in 2015. With a European Citizens' Initiative, we are taking joint action against grievances.

2015 Unfair trade? Not with us!

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Austria in 2015 against the free trade agreements TTIP and CETA . Together, they sent a clear signal against greed for profit and the power of large corporations. The trade union vida also mobilized. For us, it was about much more than just stopping TTIP or CETA. It was about the fundamental question of what a fair world trade system should look like – one that puts human rights, social standards and democratic co-determination above corporate interests.

2015 With the power of vida

In July 2014, the starting signal was given for the major tax reform. By the day of action on 22 October, an impressive 882,184 people had supported the campaign "Wage tax down" of the ÖGB and the Chamber of Labour with their signatures. The trade union vida was also fully involved. At the trade union congress in 2014, the then ÖGB President Erich Foglar thanked the supporters. The joint effort paid off: in 2015, the reform was drafted and adopted. On 1 January 2016, the time had finally come: Down with the income tax – more money in the purse for working people.

2016 10 years of vida 

Since vida was founded in 2006, we have been tirelessly trying  to make the world of employees more social and fair. We have fought for a lot, we have achieved a lot. On November 16, 2016, we celebrated our 10th birthday.

2017 Income must come in

Women in Austria earn around a third less than their male colleagues. In 2017, the vida women drew attention to the concerns of female employees around 8 March, International Women's Day, under the motto "Income must come in – right away!".

2017 1,500 Euro minimum wage

"Many people go to work and are still poor. This is not worthy of a rich economy like Austria," criticized vida chairman Roman Hebenstreit at a press conference in January 2017 in Vienna. At the same time, the vida state chairmen also held press conferences. We called on the Chamber of Commerce to start a special round of negotiations – with the aim of raising all collective agreements in the affected industries to a minimum wage of 1,500 euros as quickly as possible. And already in the 1st half of the year, the goal was achieved in 20 collective agreements.

2017 Say Yes to the Railway in Red White Red

Millions of passengers use our red-white-red railways every day. In the summer of 2017, vida launched the initiative "Say yes to the railways in red, white, red" together with the Chamber of Commerce. Together, we campaigned for the preservation of the red-white-red railways. With success: the direct award will be maintained. That's a good thing. Because without it, railway companies from anywhere in the EU can bid in tenders, and our collective agreements as well as our labour and social law would be at risk. 

2018 The Youth Confidence Council remains

The Youth Confidence Council (JVR) has been in existence since 1973. It is there for the concerns of apprentices in the company . The plans of the federal government to abolish the Youth Confidence Council bring the trade union movement to the barricades in 2018. At a large works council conference of vida, we made our displeasure known. The campaign #JVRbleibt with thousands of signatures was a complete success. The government has abandoned its plan to abolish the JVR.

2018 #vidaspruch – No to the 60-hour week!

The economy orders, the government delivers: a new Working Hours Act with an impact on our health, leisure time and income. In 2018, we loudly call for #vidaspruch . It is time to "vidaspeak" to the untruths spread by the government! More than 800 works councils come to the big vida conference in June 2018, and a few days later more than 100,000 people demonstrate with us at Heldenplatz in Vienna against the new Working Hours Act.

2018 Hot collective bargaining negotiations

On 1 September 2018, the new Working Hours Act comes into force. A few days later, the ÖGB calls all collective bargaining teams to Vienna. More than 900 works councils agree on a common line. For example, the collective bargaining negotiations at the railways are heated. On 26 November 2018, all trains come to a standstill. But the signs are also pointing to a strike at the Austrian Social Economy.

2019 No smoke in the tavern

Everything had already been decided – the general ban on smoking in restaurants should have taken place on 1 May 2018. But with the new government, everything turned out differently. vida supported the "Don't smoke" referendum throughout Austria with the campaign "No smoke in the pub". 881,569 signatures are a clear sign for healthy workplaces. Our efforts have paid off: Since 1 November 2019, the smoking ban in restaurants has been in force.

2019 Social work is worth more

Care is emotional hard work. Employees in the Austrian social economy have earned fair wages and more time for relaxation. Thousands of people take to the streets with us on 29 January 2019. On 12 February, the employees get serious: three-day warning strikes take place at 250 locations. On 18 February, the time has come: we achieve a substantial wage and salary increase, an extensive working time package and a 6th week of holiday.

2019 More from us. Better for everyone.

The staffing levels in hospitals no longer fit in with everyday work. Hectic, overloaded, even dangerous situations are increasingly the order of the day. The trade union vida and the Chamber of Labour are therefore launching the initiative "More from us. Better for everyone" in 2019 and draw attention to the precarious staffing situation in Austria's hospitals with unusual campaigns.

2019 World's first collective agreement for bicycle messengers

With the boom in online food ordering portals, the number of bicycle delivery workers in Austria has risen sharply. In 2019, we reached the world's first collective agreement for bicycle messengers and food delivery workers. This collective agreement laid the foundation for the protection of employees under labour and social law. The new collective agreement came into force on 1 January 2020.

2019 4th vida Trade Union Congress 

"Who, if not us? Courageously into the future! Let's tackle it! Keep fighting!" With these words, the newly elected vida chairman Roman Hebenstreit ended the 4th vida trade union congress, which took place in Vienna in November 2019. Together, the delegates deliberated, discussed and elected the future of vida. With the basic programme, they set the goals for the next five years. 

2020: Strong through the Corona crisis

From 2020 onwards, a virus will keep the whole world in suspense. The commitment of the vida trade union was more in demand than ever. For many people, the Corona crisis meant uncertainty, loss of income and even job loss. At the same time, many people have kept our country running with their work. We have been on behalf of our members with information, protection and advice and have achieved a lot for them: from Corona short-time work, risk group regulations and Aktion #RettetDieRetter to paid mask breaks and Corona bonuses. 

2020 We are not a Lost Generation

No work, no future, no prospects – the Corona pandemic hit young people particularly hard. The vida trade union did not allow an entire generation to fall by the wayside. As early as 2020, the vida youth fought vigorously for the future of apprentices and young employees. More than 100,000 young people were in apprenticeship training at the beginning of the pandemic, many feared for their training and their prospects. With creative actions, including a rap to the federal government, we made it clear: There must be no "lost generation". Not then - and certainly not today.

2020 More protection, more staff, more co-determination

During the Corona pandemic, employees in the health, care and social sectors kept our society running. They did not deserve applause, but better working conditions. Together with the employees of elementary education , the vida trade union put pressure on in 2021: Under the motto "More protection, more staff, more say", we loudly marched in front of the Ministry of Education, handed over an open letter, gathered with "fire and flame" at Ballhausplatz and moved works meetings into public spaces. We exposed the so-called "elementary education billion" as a sham and took to the streets together with thousands of people. 

2021 Bonus for Corona Heroes

In 2021, we were strongly committed to helping all those left behind with the Corona bonus promised by the federal government. Employees in the health and social sector have all earned this financial appreciation - but not all of them should get the bonus. "We will not be divided!" This was the tenor of Austria-wide protest rallies by affected employees in July 2021. In the run-up to the event, vida initiated, among other things, protest marches and an online petition, which was supported by over 12,000 people - with success. 

2022 Equal Pay for Equal Work

Equal pay for equal work is not a demand – it is a question of justice. Nevertheless, women in Austria still earn less than men. Year after year, Equal Pay Day makes visible how great this inequality still is. In 2021, it fell on October 25. From this day on, women worked for free until the end of the year – a total of 68 days. The vida women made this injustice visible and brought their protest to Vienna's Mariahilfer Straße, among other places. Because equal work must finally be paid equally.

2022 Time for a Health Offensive

The pandemic has ruthlessly shown where savings have been made for years. In order for care, health and care to withstand future crises, decisive investments are finally needed. That is why the vida trade union, together with other trade unions, the Chamber of Labour and the Medical Association, joined forces to form the "Health Offensive". We put pressure on with a citizens' initiative, numerous actions and powerful demonstrations . On 12 May 2022, International Nursing Day, thousands of people took to the streets with us. Our message was clear: health is not a commodity – it is a social task.

2022 Prices Down! 

In 2022, the exploding price increases are hitting us hard. With the "Prices down" campaign by the ÖGB and trade unions, we called on the federal government to quickly take relief measures. At the "Prices down!" conference in June 2022, we presented our demands. During our "Prices down" tour, we asked people where the "price shoe" pinches them. At the big "Prices down!" demo on September 7, 2022, more than 30,000 people took to the streets with us.  

2022 Wages up!

Because the relief measures of the federal government quickly fizzle out, we called on the Chamber of Commerce to hold special collective bargaining negotiations as recently as September 2022. This was followed by a "hot collective bargaining autumn" with works meetings, protest actions and even strikes. The "hot collective bargaining autumn" dragged on into spring 2023. During this time, we achieved strong collective bargaining agreements with higher wages for many employees in vida industries.  

2022 Social Work Is Worth More

Those who support people deserve respect, recognition and fair working conditions. This is what the employees of the social economy have been fighting for for many years together with their trade union vida. After protests, rallies, warning strikes and actions in more than 270 companies, we achieved a groundbreaking three-year collective agreement in 2020 - with higher wages, a Corona bonus and the 37-hour week. In 2022, thousands of employees once again put pressure on us. More than 3,000 people took to the streets with us on 8 November. After a 16-hour negotiation marathon , we were able to push through a strong agreement. In the following years, we also succeeded in achieving significant increases in income. Because social work is worth more.

2022 24-hour strike on rail

Standstill on the rails - movement for the employees. On November 28, 2022, trains were at a standstill throughout Austria. The employers had hardly moved in the collective bargaining negotiations. But the 50,000 railway workers stuck together and, together with the trade union vida, did not allow themselves to be dissuaded from their course. The 24-hour strike impressively showed that when employees act as one, they can make a big difference. In the end, there was a successful conclusion.

2022 Visibly Indispensable

They ensure cleanliness, hygiene and safety every day - often when others are not even at work or have long since finished work. Nevertheless, cleaners remain invisible far too often. The vida trade union makes its work visible and consistently fights for better working conditions. With creative protest actions in 2022, we drew attention to the grievances in the industry and symbolically wiped inflation off the streets in front of the Chamber of Commerce. The effort paid off: We achieved a wage increase of up to 9.55 percent and an infection bonus in hospital cleaning. Together we have shown that those who stick together can make a difference.

2022 No Place for Violence Against Women

Violence against women is not a private problem, but a social reality - also in the workplace. During the pandemic, the situation of many women has become even worse. The trade union vida is sending a clear signal against violence and discrimination with the initiative "Crime Scene Workplace - Don't Give Violence at Work a Chance". With actions and campaigns, for example as part of the "16 Days against Violence", vida women make it visible year after year: Violence has no place - neither at home nor at work.

2022: More money instead of applause

Applause alone does not pay bills. In view of the wave of inflation, the vida trade union started special collective bargaining negotiations for employees in the Order hospitals in autumn 2022. Our demand was clear: "500 euros for everyone!". The negotiations were tough, but the employees were determined. On 22 November 2022, there was a strike in Vienna's Order hospitals. The joint pressure had an effect: We achieved an income increase of up to 11.2 percent and inflation compensation of up to 1,029 euros. Once again, it was clear that cohesion works.

2023 Injustice? Not with vida!

Women still bear the majority of care work - and often pay a high price for it. Around Women's Day 2023 , works councils of Ried Hospital mobilized together with the trade union vida. Our demands are clear: End the Pink Tax. Together for better working conditions and real relief for women. This includes a legal right to childcare from the first birthday, free afternoon care and a nationwide expansion of care and support services. Equality needs concrete measures - and political will.

2023 More money instead of flowers

Flowers are beautiful – but they are no substitute for fair wages. After six inconclusive rounds of negotiations, employees of private hospitals went on strike across Austria on 14 February 2023. They were supported by the vida trade union. Together, we pushed through a strong agreement : In addition to a reduction in working hours , we achieved an average income increase of 10.56 percent and a minimum wage of 2,000 euros. Because appreciation must also be reflected in income.

2023 Education is worth more

Education opens up opportunities and deserves recognition. That is why the vida trade union fought resolutely for employees in private adult education in 2023. After the employers did not sufficiently respond to our demands, warning strikes took place in 35 companies across Austria on May 3 and 4, 2023. Around 1,300 employees participated. The effort paid off: On May 22, we reached a new BABE collective agreement with an average income increase of more than ten percent. A strong sign of what employees can achieve together.

2023 Future KV Tourism

The future belongs to the brave - this also applies to the world of work. In 2023, the vida trade union implemented the "Future Tourism Collective Bar" together with the JUFA companies. The JUFA company collective agreement brings employees higher starting wages, Sunday bonuses, the 6th week of vacation with 15 years of service and many other improvements compared to the industry collective agreement.  

2023 Guards in special collective bargaining operations

Applauded during the pandemic, then far too often forgotten: Guards do indispensable work every day and ensure safety. For this, they deserve more than warm words. The trade union vida fights for better working conditions, fair wages and more social recognition. With a flash mob at Vienna's Graben on June 15, 2023, Guard Day, we made the work and concerns of employees visible. Because appreciation must also be reflected on the pay slip and in the working conditions.

2023 In action for our railways

Our railways stand out throughout Europe with their quality, safety and punctuality . They secure over 50,000 jobs and are the locomotive for the mobility of the future. In order for our railways to become even better, we must set the course now: with investments for better connections and with a major job offensive. The trade union vida is campaigning for this with the Vienna Chamber of Labour.

2023 Human chain against inflation

Ahead of the autumn wage round, ÖGB and trade unions have sent a strong signal against the ongoing inflation with a clear message to the federal government: "Stop inflation at last," demand thousands of participants with a five-kilometre-long human chain along the ban mile around the parliament in Vienna. The trade union vida was also represented with numerous hands. 

2023 Hot KV Autumn

"More money instead of burgers" is what the vida trade union demanded in a press conference at the start of the autumn wage rounds in vida industries. The title alluded to statements by Chancellor Nehammer, who recommended hamburgers with fries at McDonalds as a cheap hot meal for children in a video against inflation. In the hot autumn of collective bargaining, we achieved strong collective bargaining agreements, for example in the Austrian social economy, in cleaning, in security or even among retail workers. 

2024 Hard labor struggles

vida's hot collective bargaining negotiations continued in spring 2024. There were tough negotiations and also hard fighting in some industries. With success: We have achieved good collective bargaining agreements and wage increases for many employees - for example, for employees at private hospitals and religious hospitals, for the flying staff of Austrian Airlines, for workers at airports, for hairdressers, cable car operators and employees in the hotel and catering industry. In the first half of 2024, the collective bargaining negotiations for bicycle messengers and workers in freight forwarding and warehousing companies were particularly hot.  

2024 Here is a strike, not a delivery

The working conditions of many bicycle messengers are tough, the pressure is high and the uncertainty is great. In 2024, employees in several cities in Austria took to the streets and stopped work. The vida trade union stood firmly by their side. We also put pressure on the collective bargaining agreement : With a symbolic negotiating table in front of the Chamber of Commerce , we called on employers to return to the negotiating table on August 1, 2024. Because good work deserves fair conditions.

2024 We ride together

The climate crisis affects us all. Therefore, the motto is: Together for the climate. The trade union vida has launched the alliance "We Drive Together" with climate organizations. It is a merger of vida, Fridays For Future and System Change not Climate Change. Together, we are sending a strong signal for more climate protection through more public transport and better working conditions for employees. We presented a list of demands, organized protest actions and took part in the global climate strike, among other things.  

2024 Toilet emergency for bus drivers

Those who bring people safely to their destination need humane working conditions themselves. But many bus drivers do not have access to toilets, break rooms or sanitary facilities during their shifts. No wonder that more and more employees are leaving the industry. In 2024, the vida trade union drew attention to these grievances with numerous actions - including a protest outhouse in front of Vienna's Westbahnhof train station. Our message: Respect begins with the basic needs in the workplace.

2024 5th vida Trade Union Congress

From 19 to 21 November 2024, the 5th vida trade union congress took place at the Austria Center Vienna in Vienna. Hundreds of vida delegates met and deliberated, discussed and chose the future of our union. The course was already set in the spring at the conferences of our departments and national conferences. Our common motto is "more vida". 

Wage restraint in 2025? Not with vida!

At the start of the 2025 autumn wage rounds , the vida trade union sent a clear signal at a press conference: purchasing power and consumption can only be strengthened if incomes rise. Especially in the low-wage sector, real wage increases are needed so that people can continue to afford daily life. In the hot collective bargaining autumn, vida achieved strong collective agreements for employees in many industries .

2025 We ride together

Bus drivers, together with the trade union vida and the climate movement, joined forces to form the alliance "We Drive Together". Together, they campaigned for better working conditions and a mobility turnaround. On January 23, 2025, they handed over thousands of declarations of support during a protest action in front of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

2025 100 drivers, 100 locations, 1 destination

During the first warning strike by bus drivers of private bus companies on February 20, 2025, employees together with the trade union vida exerted pressure throughout Austria. This resulted in disruptions and intimidation attempts by managers. Therefore, vida organized a protest action together with the alliance "We Drive Together". The common message: Hands off the right to strike!

Delivered in 2025? Not with vida!

No April Fool's joke: Lieferando delivery workers demonstrated in Vienna on April 1, 2025 against the termination of the entire workforce and the planned switch to freelance service contracts. The demonstration was organized by the trade union vida and the Riders Collective. Together with the works council, vida was able to push through a social plan for the employees. Learn more about the demonstration of the Lieferando employees.  

2025 Together without barriers

More than 270 participants followed the call of the trade union vida, PRO-GE, AK Vienna, ÖGB, KOBV and ÖZIV Bundesverband and took part in the Inclusion Conference 2025. The aim of the event was to sharpen the view of disability, illness, crises and their often overlooked effects on professional life as well as to show solutions for breaking down barriers . Learn more about the Inclusion Conference.  

2025 Somme. Sun. vida

In 2025, more than 200 young people accepted the invitation of the vida youth to the Sun&Fun Challenge at Lake Wörthersee. From 22 to 24 August, participants from all over Austria met in Velden am Wörthersee to have a good time together. After all, trade unions are not only a strong representation of interests, but also a large community. Learn more about the Sun & Fun Challenge.  

2025 No Place of Austerity

1,800 jobs in Vienna's religious hospitals and private hospitals were threatened by planned cuts by the City of Vienna in 2025. The alliance "We Care Together", consisting of employees, activists and the trade union vida, protested against this. Within a very short time, thousands of people signed the petition - with success: The announced savings were largely prevented. Learn more about the campaign "We Care Together".  

2025 We won't let ourselves be stacked low

December is the time of large sales in retail - and for retail workers the time of particularly high stress. They ensure that the shelves are filled for the Christmas business and do important work throughout the year. The collective bargaining negotiations were also challenging in 2025. The balance at the turn of the year: three rounds of negotiations without movement on the employers' side. However, the employees did not remain idle. Together with the trade union vida, they mobilized with rallies and convoys in front of large shopping centers for a collective bargaining agreement. Learn more about our collective bargaining assignment for retail workers.  

2025 Stop the care robbery

More than 83,000 signatures and 13,000 people on the streets show what is possible when many stick together: The trade union, works councils, the Chamber of Labour and numerous committed people put pressure together in 2025 - with success. The Salzburg state government withdrew the cancellation of the care bonus. An important success for care and for all those who have spoken out together. Learn more about "Stop the care robbery".  

2026 Nursing is hard work

For many years, the vida trade union demanded better access to the heavy labour pension for nursing staff. Together with colleagues and works councils, vida staged numerous protest actions to emphasise this demand. With success: Since 1 January 2026, the heavy labour regulation has also applied to nursing staff. Learn more about "Nursing is hard work".  

2026 Strong commitment to good social work

For the 130,000 employees in the private health, social and care sector, the collective bargaining negotiations in autumn 2025 were particularly difficult. After four rounds of negotiations, two Austria-wide waves of strikes and a works council conference, an agreement was finally reached on 26 January 2026. Learn more about our collective bargaining commitment for employees in the Austrian social economy.

2026 A 40-day ultimatum, two days of strikes, one collective bargaining result

The collective bargaining negotiations for the employees of the Upper Austrian religious hospitals in autumn 2025 and winter 2026 were characterised by a high degree of mobilisation. After several rounds of negotiations had taken place without sufficient rapprochement, the vida trade union organised numerous protest actions together with the employees. At rallies at several locations, more than 6,000 signatures were handed over to employers and politicians. At the beginning of 2026, warning and strike measures followed, in which thousands of employees participated. The pressure had an effect: together they were able to reach a collective bargaining agreement. Learn more about the 1st day of the strike, the 2nd day of the strike and the collective agreement for the employees of the Order Hospitals of Upper Austria.

2026 wage theft? Not with vida!

Four rounds of negotiations – and still no offer from the employers above inflation. "Not with us!" was the clear message from the employees in the private hospitals. At an Austria-wide day of action in January 2026, they made it clear that they would not let up. "Against wage theft" was unmistakably written on their posters. Together they fought for fair wages and a fair collective agreement – with success. Learn more about the collective agreement for employees of private hospitals.

2026 No Place for Violence

Violence, hatred and bullying in the workplace are increasing year after year. At the same time, the pressure on politicians and employers to finally take effective countermeasures is growing. At the violence prevention conference "Crime Scene Workplace" in Vienna in spring 2026, the trade union vida made it clear: voluntariness alone is no longer enough. Legally anchored measures are needed that effectively protect employees. Find out more about the Violence Prevention Conference 2026.

2026 Tourism boom without employees?

While tourism is celebrating record numbers, many employees are struggling with overload and difficult working conditions. What they are experiencing are not isolated cases, but structural problems in the industry. The trade union vida drew attention to this at a press conference on May 20, 2026. ́Learn more about the working world of tourism and the commitment of the trade union vida.

2026 On the safe side with vida

Employees in the security and security industry keep a large part of our everyday lives running in the background: in public institutions, companies, on construction sites, in logistics centres or at major events. Although security is a central social task, contracts are often awarded according to the cheapest price. Savings are then made on personnel, training and pay - at the expense of the employees and ultimately also quality. That is why the trade union vida once again called for a security services law and informed about it at a press conference in the run-up to the ESC 2026. 

2026 Emergency Call Day - because it's a matter of life

144 is the direct line to the rescue coordination center and is dialed in medical emergencies. The emergency number can be reached around the clock, 365 days a year. To draw attention to their vital importance and the work of the emergency services, the 144 Action Day was launched, which takes place annually on April 14. In 2026, the vida trade union campaigned for better working conditions and real relief for employees . Learn more about the vida campaign around Emergency Call Day.

2026 Training to shoulder

Whether home help, mobile care or rescue service: They are there when others need help. Without them, our care system would not function. Nevertheless, their work is often not seen, recognized and secured enough. That is why the vida trade union launched the campaign "Shoulder to shoulder - with you for you!" in 2026. The aim is to give employees in social services the recognition they deserve. Learn more about the vida campaign "Shoulder to Shoulder".

2026 20 years of vida

In 2026, the vida trade union will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Twentyyears of vida mean twenty years of solidarity in action. Since its founding in 2006, Austria's transport and services union has developed into a strong voice for employees. Today, more than 130,000 people are members of the vida trade union. They come from a wide variety of industries, but have a common interest: strong representation in the world of work and in retirement. Learn more about "20 years of the vida trade union".