Federal Economy Chamber (WKO) President Christoph Leitl has called on the state and Austria’s nine provinces to abstain from raising fees in 2012. Leitl told the Kurier today (Weds) cities and communities should not introduce higher prices for services such as water disposal and the provision of gas. The WKO chief argued yesterday’s metal industry […]
Fifty million Euros will be invested in General Motors’ (GM) Powertrain factory in Vienna next year, it has emerged. Michael Lewald, who has managed the facility since August, told the Kurier today (Weds) the plan was to spend 50 million Euros in investments in 2012 after 70 million Euros this year. “I will ensure that […]
Federation of Industries (IV) chief Veit Sorger has warned that yesterday’s (Tues) metal industry salary negotiations agreement would “intensify the pressure on companies to rationalise.” Sorger is quoted by the Kurier as saying that the agreement – under which the 165,000 workers will get 4.2 per cent more from November – was a “great burden” […]
An Austrian soldier faces a trial for buying flags showing banned Nazi era signs and slogans while participating in an international peacekeeping mission. A spokesman for the defence ministry said today (Tues) a colleague of the militiaman informed superiors when he showed the items to him while on patrol at the Golan Heights in Syria. […]
A 38-year-old Croatian has been arrested for selling drugs in Carinthia and Salzburg. Police in Villach, Carinthia, announced today (Tues) the man was put in custody last week. They said he dealt with “large amounts” of cocaine, explaining that he added milk powder before selling the illegal substance to his clients In related news, police […]
Two young Upper Austrians injured moped riders with a gas-powered gun, it has emerged. The men, both aged 19, were tracked down but not arrested, officials in Steyr-Land district said yesterday (Mon). They face bodily harm charges. The duo reportedly admitted firing steel bullets at two people riding mopeds. The riders were slightly injured. Police […]
Around 165,000 Austrian metal industry workers will earn 4.2 per cent more from next month. Unionists and company representatives agreed about stronger increases of low salaries and one-off payments to employees of the sector in a 14-hour discussion at the headquarters of the Federal Economy Chamber (WKO) in Vienna which ended at 4am this morning […]
Struggling Hypo Group Alpe Adria (HGAA) withdraws from nautical leasing operations in Southeast Europe. The bank – which is currently trying to restore its finances after being nationalised in 2009 – said around 320 leased HGAA vessels were currently operating, down from 700 in 2008. International consulting company PriceWaterhouseCoopers claimed in 2009 that 400 HGAA […]
Rumours that Volksbank AG (ÖVAG) may be nationalised are increasing after the bank warned of immense losses. ÖVAG boss Gerald Wenzel said yesterday (Thurs) the finance institute could suffer a loss of 900 million Euros this year. He added that the losses may also be higher. ÖVAG received one billion Euros of so-called state participation […]
A young Austrian sentenced to jail for endorsing terrorism may face charges after championing radical Islam just weeks after being released from prison. Mohammed M. was ordered to spend four years behind bars in 2007 after mulling over a terror attack in Austria during the Euro2008 football tournament in an online video. He was released […]