Cities association accuses train drivers' union of selfishness over warning strikes
In view of the planned ballot, the strike was also "completely inexplicable", said Landsberg. "Everyone should switch to the train, but when it does work, it is paralyzed by this mini-union. That harms millions of people and also the climate."
GDL boss Claus Weselsky, on the other hand, defended the strike. "As sorry as I am for the customers, we currently have no other choice," he told the Düsseldorf newspaper Rheinische Post on Friday. DB management and personnel director Martin Seiler were not prepared to negotiate a reduction in weekly working hours and collective agreements for train dispatchers. "Those who do not want to listen must bear the consequences."
Deutsche Bahn does not want a compromise, the union leader continued. "Customers must complain to Deutsche Bahn."
The nationwide warning strike by train drivers in passenger transport began on Thursday evening. It is to last for 24 hours until 22:00 on Friday. In freight transport, the warning strike began at 6.00 pm. The railroad company drew up an emergency timetable, but expected a number of train cancellations and delays on local and long-distance services.
The collective bargaining round between Deutsche Bahn and the GDL officially began at the start of November. The sticking point is the GDL's demand for a 35-hour week in shift work - the current figure is 38 hours. Deutsche Bahn rejects negotiations on this and considers the demand to be unrealizable in view of the shortage of skilled workers.
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The municipal association criticism towards the train drivers' union for the warning strike was firmly denounced by GDL boss Claus Weselsky. He asserted that they had no other choice due to DB management's unwillingness to negotiate a reduction in weekly working hours and collective agreements for train dispatchers. The warning strikes, initiated by the GDL, resulted in significant disruptions in both passenger and freight transport, prompting Deutsche Bahn to draw up an emergency timetable. The train drivers' union's stance on the issue was widely criticized for being selfish and harmful to millions of people and the climate, according to Landsberg, a spokesperson for the municipal association. The picture newspaper reported these developments, highlighting the ongoing tension between the union and Deutsche Bahn. Before the negotiations officially began in November, the GDL had demanded a 35-hour week in shift work, which DB rejected as unrealistic given the current skilled worker shortage.
Source: www.stern.de
