In recent months, the ÖBB has presented its passengers with numerous challenges, including outdated and unserviceable trains, technical issues, delays and unexpected cancellations. An emergency plan has been put into effect in eastern Austria, with discussions of planning mistakes and staffing shortages.
Roman Hebenstreit, the Chairman of the transport and services union vida, criticizes both the political and managerial sectors, giving them a grade of 5. He states that the cost-saving measures of recent years have surpassed their goals, leaving employees and passengers to bear the burden.
Hebenstreit claims that the ÖBB Group is beginning to panic, with everyone trying to optimize their own situation at the expense of others, leading to a scramble for resources.
Staff shortages have long been downplayed
Hebenstreit argues that the main issue is understaffing, a problem he says the management has consistently minimized. He warns that the strategy of operating with fewer staff than planned will eventually come at a cost.
All railway professions are now considered in shortage, and the ÖBB management is striving to bring railway specialists to Austria. Hebenstreit claims that not enough has been invested in training apprentices, resulting in a noticeable shortage.
19,000 employees leave
Hebenstreit warns that the problem is only going to worsen, with 19,000 employees expected to leave within the next six years. He suggests that preventative measures, like increasing training for apprentices, could have been implemented.
Unfortunately, the focus has been on cost reduction and competitiveness, which Hebenstreit argues has compromised flexibility.
To attract new staff, Hebenstreit suggests that ÖBB needs to offer more appealing working conditions. He points out that ÖBB is the only company in the railway sector that exclusively follows a collective agreement, suggesting that discussions around working conditions and wages are necessary.
In the upcoming supervisory board meeting, Hebenstreit plans to ensure that top managers do not receive bonuses, arguing that poor performance should not be rewarded.
