Austerity: Unions Versus Industrialists

Politics ♦ Published: January 21, 2012; 12:23 ♦ (Vindobona)

The Austrian trade unions want to impose property taxes, the Federation of Austrian Industries seeks cuts in spending.

Austerity: Unions Versus Industrialists / Picture: © Vindobona.org

The Austrian trade unions (ÖGB) and the Chamber of Labor (AK) presented their strategy for the restructuring of Austria´s finance. By 2017, tax intake could rise by € 5.4bn. Both organizations argue that the rise of public debt is due to the crisis in the financial sector. As a consequence, workers shall not bear the burden. Further cuts for retirees are rejected as well. However,…