The Lorenz Böhler case

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(Bild: Martin Jöchl)

The battle for the Lorenz Böhler Hospital in Vienna is now getting personal: the works council has dug into the past of AUVA boss Bernart and found a few things: Threats, snooping and plans to get rid of the hospital.

A new email from the AUVA Central Works Council to General Director Alexander Bernart in the battle for the Lorenz Böhler Hospital bears the simple subject line "Trust". It states that the staff's trust in their boss is gone: He had "destroyed" the AUVA's reputation - over the years, with ever new questionable actions.

"If I can prove that, you're gone"
The email meticulously lists a register of Bernart's sins over the years, starting on the day of the Christmas party at the hospital in 2019, when he announced to the staff as a "gift" that he would soon be transferring the hospital to the city. When the news found its way into the media, threats are said to have followed.

The employees have asked me to tell you that they have lost confidence in the AUVA management and in you in particular.

Aus dem Brief des Betriebsrats an Bernart

Central Works Council member Erik Lenz recalls a conversation with Bernart on December 19, 2019, in which he threatened him with dismissal with the words: "I know for a fact that you published this in the newspaper. You are damaging the AUVA's reputation in the public eye. If I can prove that, you're gone."

Snooping through the email accounts of all employees
In 2020, when Bernart once again tried to pull the wool over the eyes of the Böhler workforce and this also found its way into the public eye, all employees were immediately affected: Bernart had all AUVA email accounts searched to find the "mole". The Federal Administrative Court recently confirmed that this was unlawful in a ruling on January 26 of this year - and suddenly the AUVA was in a hurry to extend Bernart's contract for another five years.

The sudden announcement of the hospital closure in public without any prior information to the employees was the last straw for the Böhler workforce.(Bild: zVg)

Race against time for Rauch's signature
The negative court ruling had been expected. And the AUVA Board of Directors could actually have taken until the summer to extend Bernart's contract. Nevertheless, it was decided just before Christmas.

On January 30th - four days after the court ruling - Health Minister Johannes Rauch also signed Bernart's contract extension, making it valid. The ministry now emphasizes to the "Krone" that they only found out about the ruling in mid-February. Because the AUVA is a self-governing body, the "suitability of the person" for the job could not have been checked anyway. Finally, the AUVA did not wish to comment on the allegations.