Democracy on the Rails: Co-determination in Everyday Work
A meeting of railway workers and trade unionists from Austria and Hungary in Vienna shows how cross-border cooperation is put into practice—from joint projects to everyday exchanges on the job.
On April 20 and 21, trade unionists and railway workers from Austria and Hungary met in Vienna to exchange views on democracy in the workplace. The focus was on the question of how co-determination actually works in everyday practice—and how employees can learn from one another across national borders.
At the beginning of the meeting, there was an in-depth exchange on current developments in Hungary. These were generally assessed positively by the participants, but also viewed with a certain degree of caution. At the same time, it became clear that cross-border dialogue between trade unions should be further strengthened in order to better assess developments and accompany them collectively.
A central component of the first day was the EU-funded project “JustWork”—the Hungarian colleagues received an update on the current status and progress of the project so far. In addition, there was an introduction to the Austrian trade union landscape—an important step in better understanding both differences and commonalities.
Shared challenges in Austria and Hungary
As the discussions continued, it became clear that both countries are facing similar structural issues. One focus of the discussion was the investment policies of railway companies. Both sides critically noted that economic decisions made in the past have had long-term impacts on operations. Particular attention was paid to the question of how public infrastructure can be secured and further developed in a sustainable way.
The topic of personnel development also played an important role. The Hungarian colleagues were especially interested in the Austrian system of early retirement for heavy labor. It became clear that this issue has been the subject of intensive debate in Austria for years, with differing perspectives—particularly regarding how various types of work are assessed in everyday working life.
A flagship project of the Hungarian and Austrian Federal Railways
Alongside these challenges, there were also positive examples. A joint project between MÁV and ÖBB shows how co-determination can work in practice. The aim was to make the rail connection between Vienna and Budapest more attractive. Measures were implemented that were developed directly from the practical experience of employees.
One visible result is the optimization of the timetable: the previous stop at the border station of Hegyeshalom was eliminated to shorten travelling time. Thanks to modern locomotive systems and the removal of border controls, this stop is no longer necessary. Instead, a short stop has been scheduled in Győr, an important transport hub. This adjustment saves time and improves the connection for passengers.
However, the project goes beyond technical improvements. It also demonstrates how cooperation among employees is evolving. Train drivers increasingly work across borders, speak both German and Hungarian, and have a shared digital communication group that was originally created for informal exchange. It is now actively used to discuss work-related topics—from operational challenges to questions about regulations and procedures in both countries. This development shows how informal structures can evolve into concrete forms of co-determination and collaboration.
Insights into modern railway operations at the operations control center
At the conclusion of the meeting, the delegation visited the operations control center (BFZ) in Vienna-Stadlau. There, participants gained insight into the modern management of rail traffic. Around 3,700 trains are centrally monitored and coordinated here every day. This clearly illustrates how strongly the railway sector has been transformed by digitalization.
At the same time, it was emphasized that despite technological automation, people continue to play a central role. The majority of the approximately 420 employees at the BFZ are dispatchers who monitor train traffic and intervene when necessary. Technology supports their work but does not replace the responsibility and decision-making capacity of the staff.
Overall, the meeting in Vienna demonstrated that co-determination in the workplace has many dimensions—from strategic projects and international cooperation to everyday exchanges between colleagues. It became especially clear that democracy in the world of work is not abstract, but becomes visible through the concrete actions of employees. Cross-border dialogue between Austria and Hungary contributes to developing shared solutions and actively shaping the future of rail transport.