Austria: the federal congress of trade unions undertakes reform but ends with a disagreement

Only shade in all this, the non-election in the directorate of Fritz Neugebauer, president of the powerful trade union of civil servants (GÖD). He is the only "black and Christian" trade-union leader, i.e. member of the Austrian conservative party (ÖVP). He immediately accused the "socialist trade unions" of having united against him. He then announced that his trade union intended to become partially independent, like the new statutes allow it. The GÖD, richest trade-union of the ÖGB, has wanted to become independent for a long time and seems to have seized the first occasion to do it.
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ss of the ÖGB adopted most proposals of the trade union management. Rudolf Hundstorfer, incumbent president, was also re-elected by 81.32 % of the votes. The vice-presidents will be Mr. Norbert Schnedl and Mrs. Roswitha Bachner.

The reforms adopted are as follows:

  • The reorganization of the central services and the creation of an enlarged management (Vorstand) from 12 to 18 members coming from the 9 trade-union branches of the ÖGB and elected by the congress. Additionally, a president and two vic
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