By Rebecca Musgrave Less than an hour from Vienna a snowy haven awaits all winter sports enthusiasts. The compact ski resort, Zau[:ber:]g in Semmering, can be reached by rail, bus or road from the Austrian capital, making it both the ultimate holiday and after work ski destination. Whilst the resort may be smaller than other […]
Pensioners to get more in 2012
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The government and pensioners’ union officials agreed to increase pensions next year. Karl Blecha, who represents the Social Democratic pensioners, and his conservative association partner Andreas Khol met Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann and People’s Party (ÖVP) Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger for talks in Vienna yesterday evening (Mon). ÖVP Finance Minister Maria Fekter and […]
UniCredit losses put BA under pressure
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Bank Austria (BA) chief Willibald Cernko has said he plans to reduce the financial institute’s workforce level to get through the crisis. The banker announced yesterday (Mon) BA would have only 10,000 employees in Austria in 2015, 800 fewer than it had at the moment. Cernko underlined that sackings were not planned. He explained some […]
Members of a small parish in Vienna are outraged by Archbishop Christoph Cardinal Schönborn’s decision to hand over the church to the city’s Serbian-Orthodox community for free. Neuleuchenfeld parishioners harshly criticised Schönborn for his decision made public last year. Now the Vatican decided to reject their appeal. It promised to rule on the issue by […]
Vienna pledges 66mn U-Bahn deal
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The Viennese government may have saved 300 jobs by ordering 20 new underground trains. Bombardier Austria boss Germar Wacker warned yesterday (Mon) his company would be put under immense pressure if the city kept delaying to express the confirmation of an assignment vital to its factory in Vienna-Donaustadt. He explained that the capital’s government intended […]
AKH docs fear job loss
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Fewer surgeries will be carried out at Austria’s biggest clinic if the government does not invest more, doctors have warned. The Federal Chamber of Doctors and the works council of Vienna’s General Hospital (AKH) said yesterday (Mon) fewer nurses would be on night duty in the coming months due to the financial situation. They warned […]
Vienna U6 hesitation may axe 300 jobs
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Hundreds of jobs may be at risk if the Viennese government refuses to give the go-ahead for a 66-million-Euro assignment, according Bombardier Austria head Germar Wacker. The Viennese government coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and Greens puts the order for 20 underground trains on hold to evaluate the assignment again due to empty city coffers. […]
ÖBB unionist quits
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Federal Railways (ÖBB) works council boss Wilhelm Haberzettl has decided to retire. The Social Democrat (SPÖ) announced on Saturday it was “time for a change. Younger talents should come forward.” Haberzettl said he would quit as head of the ÖBB staff representation on 22 November. The 56-year-old left-winger added he had no plans to retire […]
Kubilius backs EU’s disputed duo
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Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has claimed the leadership position of Germany and France “is not a bad development.” Kubilius told Austrian daily Die Presse today (Mon): “I don’t think it is a bad development that France and Germany take leading roles trying to solve this crisis. Solving crises needs new ideas and leadership. (…) […]
The managers of some of Austria’s largest shopping centres are confident regarding this year’s Christmas shopping. Shopping City Süd (SCS) boss Anton Cech said today (Mon) he was “cautiously optimistic” considering activities in the coming weeks. The businessman told the Kurier additional free of charge bus lines between Vienna and his shopping centre were recently […]