THE SITUATION OF THE WORKING CLASSES IN AUSTRIA

GENIAL DAGEGEN online

The situation of the working classes in Austria
ÖGB President Wolfgang Katzian talks to Robert Misik about the welfare state, trade unions and solidarity in the crisis

Wolfgang Katzian has been President of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) for two years and has grown into the role of the strong, popular voice of the working classes in the last few months of the crisis.

The social partnership, already marginalised by the Kurz I and II governments, suddenly played at least a certain role again. But class struggles have already become tougher in recent years, just think of the introduction of the 12-hour working day and the „reform“ of the health insurance funds. It is almost inevitable that trade unions will have to show a more combative face if they are no longer able to strike a balance at the green table. At the same time, they not only represent interests, but also embody an ideal, the ideal of solidarity and equality for all.

However, the appeal of these ideals to the working classes has also suffered in recent decades. Under these circumstances, how can we once again be the generally recognised, authentic voice of ordinary people and renew the ideal of solidarity? And what lies ahead of us in the worst economic crisis in a long time? We want to talk about all this with the President of the ÖGB.