GDL boss Weselsky wants to strike for "a maximum of five days"
Weselsky also confirmed that there would be no strike by train drivers until January 7. With regard to the negotiating partner Deutsche Bahn, the GDL chairman demanded that Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) should "throw out this railroad board" or at least "take them to task".
Weselsky described the reaction of the top management to the result of the ballot as "outrageous". He also demanded: "Wissing should remove the bonuses from the Executive Board and finally set measurable and short-term targets. Then we can talk about bonuses again."
On Tuesday, the union announced the result of its ballot on longer industrial action to push through the GDL demands. 97 percent of its members voted in favor - this means that indefinite strikes are also possible. The union has promised a Christmas truce until January 7. It wants to announce strikes at least 48 hours in advance.
In addition to a reduction in weekly working hours, the GDL is demanding at least 555 euros more pay and an inflation bonus of 3000 euros over a one-year period. A core demand is also a reduction in weekly working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35 hours with full pay compensation. Deutsche Bahn refused to negotiate this, so the GDL declared the talks to have failed.
Deutsche Bahn presented an offer of an eleven percent wage increase and an inflation bonus of up to 2850 euros - spread over a period of 32 months. The company argued that the demand for a reduction in working hours could not be met due to staff shortages.
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- According to the GDL-chief, Claus Weselsky, the strike by train drivers will only last for "a maximum of five days".
- The German Railroad (GDL) chairman, Weselsky, boldly stated that Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) should either remove the railroad board or hold them accountable.
- The striking train drivers, under the guidance of the GDL, will not initiate the strike until January 7.
- The Rheinische Post reported Weselsky's dissatisfaction with the top management's reaction to the ballot result, which he deemed "outrageous".
- With 97% support from its members, the union has the power to launch indefinite strikes, but has agreed to a Christmas truce until January 7.
- In contrast to the GDL's demands, Deutsche Bahn presented an offer of an 11% wage increase and an inflation bonus of up to 2850 euros, spread over 32 months.
- Despite the GDL's collective bargaining conflict and strike threat, Volker Wissing, the FDP-aligned transport minister, has not expressed intentions to side with the union or berate Deutsche Bahn.
Source: www.stern.de
