Rainer Wimmer was a positive exception as a politician and top union. He was not like some of his predecessors in the metal union of the Großer Schweiger, but he explained with shame and passion why he campaigned for higher wages and better working conditions. For decades, Wimmer had committed himself to the fight for employee rights.
- The OÖN have reported: Former Pro-Ge and FSG boss Rainer Wimmer is dead
By 2023 he was up to the Pro-Ge union, and he no longer ran for the National Council election last year because he enjoyed his pension and did not want to stand in the way of younger ones. He did not have a lot of time to use the retired retirement, he died on Tuesday at the age of only 69. A short, serious illness had put an end to his life too early.
Code of conduct came from all political camps yesterday. Chancellor Christian Stocker (VP) praised Wimmer’s handshake quality and his great commitment. Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler and SP boss spoke of a passionate trade unionist. Upper Austria’s governor Thomas Stelzer (VP) described Wimmer as “persistent” and “humorous”.
“Fighting spirit for fair working conditions was legendary”
The reactions of the social partners were also deeply affected. “His fighting spirit for fair working conditions was legendary,” said ÖGB President Wolfgang Katzian. Christian Knill, who was the other person on the employer on the counterparts at the wages of the metallers, praised Wimmer, with whom he had often negotiated nights, as a fair partner.
Wimmer had indirectly determined all subsequent salary negotiations for the metal with high wages for the metal. He saw it as essential that the employees have something from the profits. In the negotiations, he relied on irritating the other and then being tired until the resistance sank. If necessary, threatened with strike.
Wimmer came from Hallstatt, the inner Salzkammergut – an area that shaped him. The father had been a mountain man, his painted head rests in the ossifice. Wimmer learned electrician and worked as a miner. From 1984 to 2009 he was chairman of the Salinen Central Works Council. At the same time, he was involved in the local council and became mayor of Hallstatt for five years in 1988.
In the union, his weight increased, in 2009 he became head of the metal union, from 2018 he was also a powerful chairman of the social democratic trade unionists. He was sitting in the National Council with short breaks from 1993 to 2024. When the power struggle broke out in the SPÖ, he stood in solidarity behind SP boss Pamela Rendi-Wagner and accepted the freestyle Bablers. It was his great conviction that the SPÖ and union are most successful together.
Wimmer leaves a wife and three children.
Source: Nachrichten
