DThe 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 in Berlin on Monday. That would mean it would end on Friday at 1 p.m. For the rail company's freight division, the strike begins on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. “This strike will last a total of 35 hours. “35 hours so that everyone in the Republic realizes what we’re all about: namely the 35-hour week,” said Weselsky.
After that there will be further strikes, but without announcing them at least 48 hours in advance, so-called “wave strikes”. The railway will no longer be able to use an emergency timetable. “This means that the railway is no longer a reliable means of transport,” said Weselsky.
Bahn criticizes the walkout
According to Deutsche Bahn, the strike will have a “massive impact” on operations. At the same time, Human Resources Director Martin Seiler criticized the GDL's announcement that it would no longer provide information about further strikes at least 48 hours in advance. “These so-called wave strikes are a sheer imposition on our passengers.”
Because the train drivers' union is not getting its maximum demands, it is going on strike again, said Seiler. “That’s stubborn and selfish. Many millions of people in our country cannot travel by train because the GDL leadership is unwilling to compromise.” Many millions of euros would be destroyed “because a few people are fighting for their particular interests.” The railway is still ready to find constructive but realistic solutions. However, the GDL's maximum demands cannot be met and put the railway system at considerable risk.
Fifth industrial dispute in the collective bargaining dispute
It is the fifth industrial dispute in the collective bargaining dispute that has been going on for months. The GDL and the railway actually wanted to negotiate until Sunday. However, according to the company, the union broke off the talks prematurely. The main point of contention remains the GDL's demand for a 35-hour week with full wage compensation.
GDL and Bahn have been fighting for a new collective agreement for months. The crux of the matter is the union's demand for a reduction in weekly working hours from 38 to 35 hours for shift workers without financial losses. 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 GDL surprisingly ended the latest industrial dispute early and met with the railway again at the beginning of February for negotiations behind closed doors. Negotiations also took place for four weeks with external mediators – the former Federal Minister of the Interior Thomas de Maizière and the Schleswig-Holstein Prime Minister Daniel Günther. Nothing was made public during this time.
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