News from the SRS's Website, January 11, 2008: Savings Plan in SRS–Piber To Be Continued

• Since the so-called spin-off from the Austrian Federal Administration in 2001 the financial situation has never been ideal. The new management, Elisabeth Gürtler and Erwin Klissenbauer, intend to accomplish the balancing act of on the one hand remaining an institution true to its Imperial traditions and on the other becoming an economically sound enterprise.


• Such an undertaking requires long-term measures and a change in thinking at all levels. Therefore, the planned and necessary changes will not stop at any area of the company with its three locations in Vienna, in Piber in Western Styria and the Lipizzaners’ summer quarters in Heldenberg, Lower Austria. Detailed savings potentials are being developed, such as the best possible use of various real estates in Vienna and in Piber.


• At the moment, the currently available draft report by the Austrian Court of Audit is not under discussion. As soon as the final report is released by the President of the Austrian Court of Audit, which is expected to be in the next 1-2 months, an official statement on the report will be made. This audit was the first since the spin-off seven years ago.


• Until then the famous white Lipizzaners were under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management. This arrangement dates back to the First Republic when the subject “animal” was associated with agriculture and not for instance with culture or the then still exisiting Ministry responsible for buildings. The currently applicable employment contracts and salary schemes which apply to long-serving employees also date back to these times. Recently employed staff are subject to contracts applicable to companies run under private law.


• It will be more important than ever to convince employees of the necessity to collectively bring about a change and perhaps accept the loss of one or two fond privileges. However, such realignments require time, patience, tact and a willingness to talk on both sides.


• Elisabeth Gürtler: „I am always willing to listen and am prepared to take up constructive suggestions. We aim to jointly discuss possible measures not only with the equestrian team, but also with the employees from the back office, such as the administration or the technical department. We want to hear each and everyone’s wishes and concerns.”