New austerity threatens rail investments

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Business

Social Democratic (SPÖ) Traffic Minister Doris Bures may be forced to pull the plug on an extensive railway infrastructure project. Bures said in September that 100 train stations all over Austria would be renovated by 2014. The infrastructure minister also presented plans to improve the country’s railroad network in the coming years. The People’s Party […]

Taxi firms file lawsuit over anti-app sackings

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Business

Two leading taxi companies may be forced to brace for a court case. The Federal Competition Authority (BWB) announced today (Mon) it started checking complaints by two start-up companies against Viennese market leaders 40100 and 31300. The businesses’ drivers face the sack if they use a new kind of smartphone apps. The programmes – provided […]

Milk and coffee more costly

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Business

Some of the most popular foodstuffs became significantly more expensive last month. Statistik Austria said yesterday (Weds) that dairy products became seven per cent more expensive from October 2010 to the same month of this year. Statisticians also consider eggs in this price group. The price of bread and meat rose by four per cent. […]

Gerry Weber grabs broke rival

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Business

A German fashion firm has taken over bankrupt clothing business Don Gil. It was confirmed yesterday (Weds) that Gerry Weber snatched up Don Gil for around six million Euros. The Austrian company – run by an Italian enterprise – opted for a controlled bankruptcy procedure last month due to its debts of 28 million Euros. […]

Gazprom Export chief shrugs off cartel claims

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Business

Gazprom manager Alexander Medvedev has hit out at European politicians and competition watchdogs. Asked whether Eastern Europe (EE) must brace for another gas crisis this winter due to the conflict between his company and Ukraine, the Gazprom deputy chairman told Austrian newspaper Die Presse: “(The) energy (sector) has always been connected with politics, but not […]

AKH docs fear job loss

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Business

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 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 […]

Shopping mall bosses optimistic about Xmas business

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Business

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 […]

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. (…) […]

ÖBB unionist quits

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Business

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 […]