2024-03-05 14:50:51
Train drivers’ union GDL announces new rail strikes
Updated March 4, 2024 – 3:02 p.mReading time: 3 min.
In the collective bargaining dispute with Deutsche Bahn, the train drivers’ union GDL wants to strike again. First, members should stop work for 35 hours.
The train drivers’ union GDL has announced another strike in the collective bargaining dispute with Deutsche Bahn. The strike should last 35 hours and begin in passenger traffic on Thursday at 2 a.m., said GDL boss Claus Weselsky on Monday. The freight transport strike is scheduled to start on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.
With the duration of the strike, the union wants to emphasize one of its core demands in this collective bargaining strike. The GDL calls for working hours to be reduced to 35 hours per week.
Further strikes will follow in the form of so-called wave strikes, which will then no longer be announced 48 hours in advance, Weselsky continued. “This means that the railway is no longer a reliable means of transport,” says the GDL boss. During a wave strike, different departments stop work at different times.
Weselsky: Arbitrators couldn’t stop failure
Weselsky also emphasized that even the use of two arbitrators could not prevent the negotiations with Deutsche Bahn from failing. Negotiations took place for four weeks with the support of external mediators – the former Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière and the Schleswig-Holstein Prime Minister Daniel Günther (both CDU). Nothing was made public during this time.
The Pro Bahn passenger association called for another attempt at mediation and brought the former Prime Minister of Brandenburg into discussion. “Matthias Platzeck would be the right mediator between the railways and the union. He has already been successful,” said association boss Detlef Neuß of the “Rheinische Post”. SPD politicians have already mediated between Deutsche Bahn and GDL several times – most recently in 2020.
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The GDL and the railway actually wanted to negotiate until Sunday. However, according to the company, the union broke off the talks prematurely.
The federal government is staying out of it
In view of the new strike announcements, the federal government has appealed to the responsibility of both collective bargaining parties. Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) made it clear that a solution could only be found at the negotiating table, said a ministry spokesman in Berlin on Monday. There is therefore a clear expectation of returning there. Both parties have “a very significant responsibility” also towards millions of passengers whose everyday lives are affected. In addition, Germany is experiencing weak growth.
As the government made clear, the federal government, as the owner of the railway, does not want to become involved in the conflict for the time being. There is collective bargaining autonomy in Germany, which must be adhered to, said the ministry spokesman. Deputy government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner said that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) generally does not interfere in collective bargaining disputes. “We appeal to both sides to take responsibility and hope that this will have a good outcome soon.” Read more about the balance of power at Deutsche Bahn here.
Warning strike also in air traffic
It is the fifth industrial dispute in the collective bargaining dispute that has been going on for months. A self-imposed peace obligation applied up to and including Sunday. The GDL declared the first phase of negotiations to have failed in November and then called for two longer strikes after a strike vote. There had already been two one-day warning strikes.
The plane is unlikely to be an alternative for many travelers during the upcoming strike: the Verdi union is calling for a warning strike at Lufthansa on Thursday and Friday. All ground staff should stop work. The walkout is scheduled to begin at 4 a.m. on Thursday and end at 7:10 a.m. on Saturday. This will also lead to significant restrictions in air traffic.