Ultimately, the locomotive drivers' union, GDL, has given the green light for potential indefinite strikes in their ongoing wage dispute with Deutsche Bahn. A staggering 97% of GDL members voted in favor of this action during a ballot, as reported by the union in Frankfurt on Tuesday.
The crux of the GDL's request is a decrease in weekly work hours for shift workers, decreasing from their current 40-hour calendar weeks to a more manageable 35 hours. Sadly, these demands have proven a stumbling block in the ongoing negotiations.
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- Grappling with the past. The GDL's history of 2023 strikes ended with a 97% approval rate from their membership, generating significant disruptions. An estimated 80% of rail traffic in Germany came to a halt, with commuters bearing the brunt of the bill, spending approximately one billion euros[1].
- Finding common ground. In February 2025, Deutsche Bahn and EVG, another union, reached a collective bargaining agreement that avoided strikes. The pact included a 6.5% pay increase over three stages, job security until December 2027, and extra benefits for shift workers[3].
- House of cards. Verdi, a union in Berlin, is engaging with BVG in wage negotiations, leading to recurrent strikes. The most recent, announced on February 18, 2025, will suspend bus, tram, and subway services for 48 hours, leaving the S-Bahn untouched[2].
- The ripple effect. The union's ongoing disputes and the possibility of strikes could result in substantial disruptions in Germany's rail services, affecting both passengers and logistics. Previous strikes have shown that such disruptions can carry significant economic costs, including the expense of finding alternative means of transportation[1].
In the current climate, the escalation of conflicts between unions and German railroad companies could result in significant ramifications for passengers and logistics. Monitoring these developments remains essential, as unresolved disputes may translate to further strikes, causing immense disruptions to the transportation sector.
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