In Vienna alone, about 100 Kika/Leiner employees are likely to lose their jobs. Two of those affected are now describing their current concerns to the “Krone”.
While multimillionaire René Benko reportedly makes a profit of 300 million euros from the surprise sale of Kika/Leiner, 1,900 employees across the country are at risk of losing their jobs. In Vienna alone, two branches are closing, putting about 100 employees out of work.
“Don’t sign anything!”
“Once again, the workers are the victims of pure profit interests and bad business decisions,” say the unions GPA and vida, who call on those affected not to sign amicable terminations without consulting the union.
Cut off life like a silk thread
Particularly spicy: the employees themselves only found out about it through media reports, describes the vida works council of the Vienna North branch, Christian Fiala. The 63-year-old has been working as a furniture specialist at Leiner for 23 years. Two years before his retirement he will be without a job. “It’s like someone came here, cut your life like a thread of silk and said, ‘Just tie a new knot!'” But it’s not just older workers who are particularly affected, but those with children too.
“Bad luck”
“It’s not that we’re losing our jobs because of poor performance. We’re just unlucky that our branches are closing,” says Fiala. Within five days, the futures of dozens of employees were ruined.
Employees feel cheated
“It’s just incredibly stressful,” agrees Norbert Zeilinger, who has worked in editing for 30 years. He can keep his job, but his wife can’t. “The colleagues have acute existential fears. Especially in times of rising prices, we don’t know what will happen,” Zeilinger continues. And: “Benko and Co. cheated us. That’s shabby.”
Fiala also feels lied to. “It was always said that it was uphill.” But now they don’t even know when their last day of work will be.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
