Rewritten Article:
Deutsche Bahn Faces Potential Prolonged Strikes: GDL Approves Indefinite Action
German railway giant Deutsche Bahn is bracing for potential extended strikes, with up to 10,000 train cancellations looming next year. The members of the train drivers' union GDL overwhelmingly voted in favor of unlimited industrial action, as announced by GDL head Claus Weselsky in Frankfurt am Main. A staggering 97% of voters supported this decision. "Our colleagues have sent a clear message," said Weselsky, praising the outcome. A 75% approval rate was necessary for indefinite strikes, and the turnout surpassed 70%.
Hardened Positions over Working Hours
The union had previously agreed to postpone any industrial action until January 7, 2023. However, they now have the option to instigate strikes lasting multiple days on the railroads. "What awaits us next is stronger, longer, and tougher for customers," Weselsky warned, comparing it to the previous rounds of warning strikes.
Negotiations between the GDL and Deutsche Bahn in the ongoing wage dispute commenced in November. After the second round, Weselsky declared negotiations a failure, subsequently pushing for a GDL member ballot.
Longest GDL Strike Lasted 127 Hours
The main point of contention in the dispute remains the request for a reduction in weekly working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35 hours, demanded by the GDL. The union also seeks a €555 increase in monthly wages and a tax- and duty-free inflation compensation bonus. Deutsche Bahn considers the reduction in working hours impractical, partly due to the current shortage of skilled workers.
Strikes No Longer Have Time Limits
Following the ballot, strikes no longer require time limitations. "We are responsible, and we will not strike endlessly," assured Weselsky. However, this does not necessarily mean that a series of 24-hour strikes is sufficient.
In previous collective bargaining rounds, strikes of several days were a recurring theme. The longest GDL strike at Deutsche Bahn occurred in May 2015, lasting 127 hours in passenger transport and 138 strike hours in freight transport. This was the eighth strike related to the ongoing wage dispute in 2015. In 2021, the GDL struck for about five days.
Additional Insights
Recently, Deutsche Bahn and the German Railway and Transport Union (EVG) agreed on a wage settlement, which avoided any strikes. The deal, which will last until December 2027, includes a 6.5% total wage increase, with three stages of 2%, 2.5%, and an additional 2% spread over the years. Shift workers will additionally get a 2.6% bonus, which can be converted into extra time off starting in 2027. Furthermore, a special restructuring clause for DB Cargo has raised concerns among certain workers, allowing for deviations from standard collective agreements during restructuring efforts.
In the EVG negotiations, the union initially demanded a 7.6% increase, 1.1 percentage points higher than the agreed-upon amount. Meanwhile, the long 33-month contract term means that employees will not have another opportunity to negotiate wage increases until 2028.
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