Trade unionist Karl Dürtscher died at the age of 64 - Austria mourns!

Trade unionist Karl Dürtscher died at the age of 64 - Austria mourns!

Schruns, Vorarlberg, Österreich - Karl Dürtscher, who has served as the federal manager of the GPA union since 2018, died at the age of 64. Dürtscher significantly shaped working life in Austria and negotiated over 170 collective contracts, most recently in the metal and electronics industry. His colleagues and superiors emphasize his tireless commitment to collective agreement policy, which is one of his greatest political achievements. In particular, negotiations on corona short-time work are under his merits, since this regulation was an essential instrument to combat the effects of pandemic. Barbara Teiber, Chair of the GPA, recognized Dürtscher as a friend, experienced colleague and upright trade unionists who passionately represented the interests of employees.

Dürtscher was born in Schruns, Vorarlberg in 1961. After completing his apprenticeship at the Vorarlberg Ill, he accepted a job at Vorarlberger Zementwerke AG. In 1985 he moved to the union of private workers in Vienna and campaigned in various functions for the concerns of the employees. From 1996 he was a chamber council in the Vienna Chamber of Labor and also took responsibility in social security.

The importance of short -time work

The Corona short-time work, a special model that was developed in 2020, played a central role during economic uncertainties in pandemic. The regulation provided for a temporary, temporary reduction in working hours, which was associated with financial relief for affected employees. Employees: During the short -time work, the inside received support that was above their working time, which ensured that they did not get into existential difficulties despite reduced working hours. This support was paid out by the employer together with the remuneration, and the workers: Inside, the contribution base remained untouched, which was important for their future pension. The agreement was always reached between the social partners, i.e. union and the Federal Chamber of Commerce, and ensured that the regulations were fair for everyone involved, which Dürtscher was particularly important.

Over 450 collective contracts are negotiated annually in Austria, and 98 percent of all employees work under such a contract. These contracts regulate essential aspects of working life, including working hours, wages, vacation, notice periods and numerous social services. Collective contracts are not only important for the individualized protection of employees, but also contribute significantly to social stability in society.

collective contracts and their relevance

collective contracts represent a legally binding agreement between employers and unions and ensure that all employees and employers comply with the same minimum standard within a certain industry. The contracts often contain better conditions than the legally defined minimum requirements. Due to the high coverage of collective agreements, no legal minimum wage is necessary in Austria.

The strong role of the unions in the collective agreement negotiation is also reflected in the regular autumn wage rounds, which are particularly important in times of high inflation. These rounds form the annual negotiations on wage increases and other working conditions, which are then recorded in the collective contracts.

Karl Dürtscher's death is not only a loss for the GPA, but for the entire social partnership in Austria. His commitment to the rights of employees and its central role in the design of the collective contracts are estimated in the industry and remain unforgettable. The challenges that Dürtscher mastered in his career will also play an important role in the Austrian working world in the coming years.