German train drivers will go on strike starting Thursday. The GDL union announced that freight train drivers will strike from 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, while passenger train drivers will join the strike from 10:00 a.m. The action will last until 10:00 p.m. on Friday.
Related topic: After strike: Deutsche Bahn warns of full trains on Saturday
German train drivers to go on strike from Thursday
This is the second strike in recent weeks - in mid-November, train drivers staged a 20-hour strike, resulting in the cancellation of about 80% of long-distance trains across the country.
At the heart of the dispute is the GDL's demand for a reduction in working hours to 35 hours per week from the current 38 without a decrease in pay, to which the railway operator Deutsche Bahn has so far responded with a refusal.
Refusing to agree to a reduction in working hours, railroad executives "not only ignore the legitimate needs of their own employees," said the GDL's head Klaus Weselsky.
"They also torpedo urgently needed measures for successful personnel recruitment." This "jeopardizes the future of the most environmentally friendly mode of transport - railways", he said.
Deutsche Bahn's Head of Human Resources, Martin Seiler, criticized the planned strike as "irresponsible and selfish."
"Instead of negotiating and facing reality, the train drivers' union is striking over demands that cannot be met".
In late November, the GDL claimed that the latest round of negotiations with Deutsche Bahn had collapsed.
In addition to reducing working hours, the union demands a salary increase of 555 euros per month and a tax-free bonus of 3,000 euros to cope with rising inflation.
This agreement will be valid for 12 months, after which additional negotiations will follow.
Deutsche Bahn offered an 11% salary increase and a bonus of up to 2,850 euros but rejected a reduction in working hours as excessive.
Earlier this year, a series of strikes by the larger transport union EVG on the railway network led to widespread disruptions.
Related topics:
The upcoming strike could significantly impact Life in Germany, especially for travelers, as Deutsche Bahn has warned of full trains on Saturday. Despite Deutsche Bahn's offer of an 11% salary increase and a bonus, the GDL union is not satisfied and continues to press for a reduction in working hours and other demands.
