GDL also declares wage negotiations with Transdev to have failed
After breaking off talks with Deutsche Bahn, the train drivers' union GDL has also declared the wage negotiations with the rail company Transdev to have failed. Although the employers had agreed to negotiate a reduction in working hours, they had "not presented a negotiable offer" in the round of negotiations on Tuesday, the GDL announced. The union then declared "the failure of the negotiations".
On Monday evening, the GDL had still spoken of progress in the negotiations with Transdev and Netinera - both companies operate a number of regional railroads in several federal states. Transdev had shown itself willing to discuss a reduction in weekly working hours, it was said, and negotiations would therefore continue on Tuesday. At Netinera, talks on the core issue of reducing working hours are "well advanced". A conclusion could be reached next week.
However, the new offer now presented by Transdev "is far removed from the GDL's demands", the union explained. For example, the proposed reduction in working hours would not begin until 2027 and would end in 2029 with an average 36-hour week. This is "not acceptable to us", explained GDL boss Claus Weselsky. "The railroad professions must now become more attractive and there must be a noticeable reduction in the workload in the near future." The GDL is demanding a 35-hour week with full pay compensation.
The GDL also stated that the offer was inadequate with regard to the pay increase and the inflation compensation bonus. In addition, counter demands had been made, such as less vacation. The GDL will therefore extend its warning strikes.
The GDL is already at loggerheads with Deutsche Bahn, where it declared negotiations to have failed almost two weeks ago and announced new warning strikes. At the same time, a ballot is being held on more frequent and longer industrial action. Deutsche Bahn has so far refused to negotiate a reduction in working hours.
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Despite Transdev presenting a new offer that significantly deviates from the GDL's demands, the union has declared the collective bargaining process with Transdev as failed. Notably, Transdev's proposed reduction in working hours does not commence until 2027 and concludes in 2029 with an average 36-hour week, a proposal that GDL finds unacceptable.
Source: www.ntv.de
