Train Drivers Prepare for Week-Long Strike
In an effort to make their voices heard, the train drivers' union GDL is planning a week-long strike starting this week. The discontent among employees is high, and their concerns are valid, according to GDL chairman Claus Weselsky.
The strike will commence on Wednesday evening and last until Thursday at 6 p.m., as announced by the GDL. This action is part of the union's wage dispute with Deutsche Bahn. The GDL represents train drivers, train attendants, dispatchers, and other professionals who are members of the union.
The union's primary demands include a significant wage increase of at least 555 euros for a year, a 25% boost in shift work bonuses, a 35-hour workweek for shift workers with full wage compensation, and tax-free inflation payments of 3,000 euros.
Deutsche Bahn, on the other hand, has offered an 11% wage increase and an inflation bonus of up to 2,850 euros for a 32-month term. However, the company refuses to entertain the idea of reducing working hours with full wage compensation, a demand that GDL boss Claus Weselsky considers non-negotiable.
The potential strike by the train drivers is not an isolated event. In the second round of collective bargaining for employees in states other than Hesse, which will take place at the beginning of November, Ulrich Silberbach, head of the German Civil Service Association, did not rule out joint strikes with the GDL. Verdi boss Frank Werneke also announced 'massive action' in the public sector wage dispute, ahead of the next negotiations on December 7 and 8.
The proposed strike is part of a larger collective bargaining dispute over wages and working conditions between GDL and Deutsche Bahn. It symbolizes the union's determination to secure substantial wage increases, bonus adjustments, and a reduced week for their members.
Enrichment Insights:
- Negotiations and Demands:
- EVG is pushing for a 7.6% wage rise, while Deutsche Bahn has proposed a maximum of 6.6%[1].
- Deutsche Bahn prefers a 37-month contract term till April 2028, while EVG seeks more flexibility for shift workers to convert wage increases into additional time off[1].
- Strike Threat:
- If negotiations do not progress, a potential strike could commence as early as April 1, 2025. This could impact regional, long-distance, and freight traffic across Germany[1].
- Impact on Rail Services:
- A strike could result in major transport chaos, given the significance of Deutsche Bahn for rail services in Germany[1].
- The last major Deutsche Bahn wage dispute with GDL in 2023 led to nationwide strikes that disrupted services for days[1].
- Political Uncertainty:
- The upcoming federal election on February 23 adds another layer of uncertainty, as a new government could lead to structural changes for Deutsche Bahn[1].
- Passenger and Business Concerns:
- The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether a wage deal can be struck or if another round of transport chaos is imminent[1].
