Strong sign: ÖGB called for a demo: 750 in Innsbruck on the street
Around 750 participants demanded price-cutting measures in Innsbruck as part of the ÖGB demonstration. The trade union confederation thus set a powerful example in the fight against the price explosions for energy, fuel and food.
TYROL. “The time for waiting is over!”, stated Tirols ÖGB chairman Philip Wohlgemuth clear in his speech at the final rally on Innsbruck’s market square.
“Politics must finally act and no longer stand idly by as our lives become unaffordable. The current measures are too little and come too late. The current prices for gas, fuel and groceries are increasing immeasurably. When the question ‘Eat or heat’ is soon to be asked in many families, then my stomach turns!”
Wohlgemuth once again took on the responsibility of the federal government to take price-lowering measures immediately.
The requirements
In order for people to be able to afford their lives again, the ÖGB calls for an excess profit tax, an energy price cap for all heating systems and the temporary cancellation of VAT on food. In addition, an anti-inflation commission must act on all fronts to ensure tax cuts are communicated and to prevent price gouging. In addition, Wohlgemuth calls for a strong social policy. “The weakest in our society must not be left alone now, a policy is needed whose actions also have values. Loud for the quiet and strong for the weak must now apply more than ever,” says Wohlgemuth.
Hot autumn
The union also wants to ensure appropriate safeguards with this year’s collective agreement negotiations. “The wages have to rise now, because they have to be able to get by and live well with their income,” says Roman Hebenstreit, chairman of the vida trade union.
“That is why we are calling for early special collective agreement negotiations for those in the vida sectors. It will be up to the social partners to open a rescue package. Because the way the government is taking countermeasures, the relief measures against inflation fizzle out very quickly for many people. The aid provided so far by the government is only having a selective effect and is coming too late. It needs both, higher wages and more targeted government measures,”
emphasizes Hebenstreit and adds: “In the end, it’s about who bears the costs of the crisis: those who can afford it or those who can’t defend themselves.”
Excess tax finance taxes
Wohlgemuth also describes the taxation of excess profits as “there is no alternative”. These are needed to finance measures against inflation as quickly as possible. Skimming off excess profits could bring an estimated 4 to 5 billion euros – and that in just two years. “Housing, heating, food, fuel – prices are going up and up. Daily shopping has quickly become a fifth more expensive, a tank filling now costs over 100 euros. The Austrian gas price index has increased by an incredible 323 percent compared to August 2021! In Tyrol we will have to start heating in a few weeks – how is that going to work out financially?” Wohlgemuth points out the current extreme situation.
Especially women affected by the crisis
Tirol pointed to the particularly worrying situation, especially for women ÖGB women’s chairwoman Sonja Föger-Kalchschmied points out: “At almost 10 percent, we are at a 50-year high. Women, who earn significantly less than men anyway, are at risk of falling into poverty. If they then also have to commute to work, the high fuel prices are doubly burdensome. A worrying example is mobile services, where many people drive their own cars and have actually been earning significantly less for months now, as expenses have risen considerably. D is just one example of many where most women are shouldering the current crisis. Politics must no longer look the other way!”
Living as a luxury
The ubiquitous topic of living in Tyrol took hold Erika Landers, state women’s chairwoman of the FCG (group of Christian trade unionists) on: “Living in Tyrol has not only recently been one of the biggest price drivers. While purchasing power is lowest here in Tyrol, the cost of living is among the absolute best. On average, 4,000 euros per square meter have to be shelled out to buy an apartment in Tyrol, in Innsbruck it is already an unbelievable 7,000 euros. In addition, there are high rental costs – on average 15 euros/m². Even before the crisis, these expenses drove many people to despair! More and more young families are migrating to other federal states because they can no longer afford to live in Tyrol! We call on politicians here and now: Prices down!”
He was pleased about the tailwind for the handover of claims scheduled for Monday for the autumn pay round Bernhard Höfler, chairman of the FSG (group of social democratic trade unionists) and secretary of the PRO-GE “Metal Workers’ Union”: “We promise a hot autumn: There will certainly not be a conclusion under the ‘rolling inflation’! We metalheads have proven several times that nothing divides us, we have stuck together in the past and will continue to do so. The order books are full. We will not allow the costs of this crisis to be shouldered alone. Anyone who tries to evade responsibility must expect bitter resistance!” “Rolling inflation” is the average inflation rate over the last 12 months.
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