Deutsche Bahn trains in Hesse run according to emergency timetable
The warning strike at Deutsche Bahn will also severely affect regional rail services in Hesse on Thursday. Despite an emergency plan being in place, travelers can expect massive restrictions, according to a press spokeswoman. If possible, she advised passengers to postpone their journey until after the strike, she said early on Thursday morning. Otherwise, they should find out about the planned train connections well in advance. The timetable is very tight, including for the suburban trains in the Rhine-Main area. Buses, streetcars and subway trains in local public transport are not affected by the warning strike.
The strike called by the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL), which includes train drivers, train attendants, workshop workers and dispatchers, began on Wednesday evening at 22:00 and is due to end on Thursday at 18:00.
Trains operated by other railroad companies such as Vlexx, Vias or Hessische Landesbahn could also be indirectly affected by the strike. Their train drivers have their own collective agreements with the GDL. However, if signal boxes are not manned by train dispatchers, their trains can no longer run there either. Whether this is the case was initially unclear early Thursday morning.
Among other things, the GDL is demanding 555 euros more per month for a twelve-month contract term as well as an inflation compensation bonus. The sticking point is the demand for a reduction in working hours from 38 to 35 hours per week for shift workers with full pay. Deutsche Bahn had presented its own offer in the first round of negotiations, which included an eleven percent pay increase for a term of 32 months. There is nothing in the offer regarding working hours.
The strike by the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) may also impact traffic on other railroads like Vlexx, Vias, and Hessisches Landesbahn due to their workers' collective agreements. Consumers planning to travel by train in Hesse should be aware of the tight timetable and consider postponing their journey or checking the planned connections, as massive restrictions are expected during the strike.
Source: www.dpa.com
