GDL begins ballot - backing for more strikes
Wage negotiations for train drivers go into escalation mode early. Shortly after the end of the first warning strike, the union calls its members to a ballot.
The train drivers' union GDL wants to extend its strikes in the current round of collective bargaining. To this end, it is calling on its members at several companies - including Deutsche Bahn - to vote on the ballot. "We expect our members to give a clear answer to the employers' stalling tactics," said GDL boss Claus Weselsky. The GDL needs at least 75 percent of its members to agree to longer and more frequent industrial action.
The Gewerkschaft Deutscher Lokomotivführer (GDL) was also willing to negotiate this Friday in Berlin, the union explained. However, Deutsche Bahn had refused to negotiate, although the GDL strike ended yesterday at 18:00. The Transdev Group is also playing tactics and trying to evade the issue of reducing working hours. According to the GDL, there is currently no clear signal for further negotiations and no new offer has been made. The eight personnel service providers have also shown no willingness to back down from their refusal.
In a first round, GDL and Deutsche Bahn exchanged demands and offers. The biggest sticking point is the requested reduction in working hours, which Deutsche Bahn has so far categorically rejected. Despite further fixed dates for talks, the GDL called on its members to go on a 20-hour warning strike before the second round. As a result, Deutsche Bahn canceled the second round of talks planned for Thursday and Friday.
The GDL is demanding a four-day week with 35 hours and full pay compensation for shift workers. It is also demanding at least 555 euros more pay for a one-year term, an inflation bonus of 3000 euros and higher bonuses for shift work. The current working week is 38 hours.
Deutsche Bahn presented an offer with an eleven percent wage increase and an inflation bonus of up to 2850 euros for a term of 32 months. The reduction in working hours demanded by the GDL has been rejected by Deutsche Bahn as unfeasible and the company does not intend to enter into negotiations with the union.
The GDL's ballot for extending strikes is influenced by the sharp sound of the union's discontent with the employer's stalling tactics. The collective bargaining round has seen numerous strikes, with the GDL seeking at least 75% member backing for more intense industrial action. Deutsche Bahn's refusal to negotiate, despite the end of strikes, has added to the progressive sharpness of the industrial discord.
Source: www.ntv.de
