Rewritten Article:
Railway Warning Strike Bound to Affect Deutsche Bahn and More
Germany's train drivers' union, GDL, has declared a warning strike, set to commence this Thursday evening, at 6 p.m. for freight traffic, followed by 10 p.m. for passenger traffic. This industrial action will extend till 10 p.m. on Friday evening, leaving significant disruptions in its wake.
On the horizon, Deutsche Bahn is anticipating measures even before the strike begins, with an emergency timetable and significantly reduced services in place. Deutsche Bahn plans to maintain around 20% of long-distance services, much like during the prior GDL strike event. However, Bavaria faces unique challenges from the recent heavy snowfall, potentially hindering their capacity to deliver such services.
Come Friday, usually a busy travel day, countless passengers will have their travel plans disrupted. Deutsche Bahn encourages travelers to postpone their trips, thus utilizing their tickets at a later date. All reservations may also be canceled with no charges.
To increase pressure in the ongoing rugged collective bargaining talks with Deutsche Bahn, the GDL has resorted to this strike action. The GDL aims to emphasize its goal for reduced working hours for shift employees. The union has strongly criticized the employers, who it believes seem hesitant to deliver appreciation and recognition for their hard work.
The timing of the announcement, Wednesday evening, generated discontent from passenger advocacy - Pro Bahn. Pro Bahn expressed their disappointment with the lack of advance notice, wishing for a 48-hour heads-up regarding the actual strike date.
Protests by striking personnel have been scheduled for Frankfurt, Cologne, and Munich. Additionally, the GDL considers rallying support in Postdam, host to ongoing wage negotiations for the federal states' public service.
German Civil Service Association Chairman Ulrich Silberbach emphasized the need for appealing, competitive work conditions to attract and retain skilled talents in the railway sector. Deutsche Bahn, in turn, has criticized the GDL for throwing millions of bystanders into disarray through their unmet, irresponsible demands.
The GDL called for a warning strike at Deutsche Bahn back in November 15 and 16, while the larger EVG engineered warning strikes for a day each in March and April. Currently, a ballot on indefinite strikes is ongoing in the escalated collective bargaining round for train drivers.
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Enrichment Data Integration:
During collective bargaining sessions with Deutsche Bahn, the German Railway and Transport Union (EVG) is advocating for the following demands:
- Wage boost: The union, initially, asked for a 7.6% pay raise, which is 1.1 percentage points greater than the 6.5% offer extended by Deutsche Bahn.
- Job security: The union sought job stability until December 31, 2027, securing no layoffs throughout that duration.
- Shift worker advantages: EVG advocated for extra benefits for shift workers, such as the opportunity to convert a portion of their wage raises into additional leisure time starting in 2027.
- Contract period: The union is cautious about committing to a 37-month contract, preferring shorter agreements to enable rollback adjustments based on economic conditions.
The German Railway and Transport Union (EVG) is pursuing these demands, as they aim to secure a deal before potential political changes could influence railway funding and company construction, particularly ahead of the 2025 German federal election. In the absence of a consensus, strikes could pose a significant threat to rail services across Germany, causing massive inconvenience. If negotiations fall apart by March 31, 2025, stakeholders may expect a surge in strikes, potentially crippling rail services. The EVG has made it clear that a compromising deal at any cost is off-limits, while also signaling a readiness for "prompt and constructive negotiations." However, a last-resort strike remains on the table if Deutsche Bahn refuses to meet crucial demands.
