Rail strike: train drivers stop working from Thursday evening
In addition to Deutsche Bahn, according to GDL information, the companies Transdev, AKN Eisenbahn, City-Bahn Chemnitz and eight personnel service providers will also be on strike. Negotiations with Transdev, which operates regional routes in several federal states, had been declared a failure by the union shortly beforehand, while negotiations with Deutsche Bahn had already failed almost two weeks ago.
Deutsche Bahn accused the train drivers' union of being irresponsible. The GDL was spoiling the second Advent weekend for millions of uninvolved people, explained Martin Seiler, member of the Deutsche Bahn Board of Management for Human Resources. A strike so soon after the onset of winter and so shortly before the timetable change was "irresponsible and selfish". Instead of negotiating, the union was striking "for unfulfillable demands. This is absolutely unnecessary," added Seiler.
According to Deutsche Bahn, it expects "massive consequences" for passengers during the strike. The company has announced that it will inform customers as quickly and comprehensively as possible.
According to GDL boss Weselsky, the upcoming strike is the last action by his union this year. "We will carry out this strike action on Thursday and Friday and it is the last one for this year," Weselsky said on MDR-"Aktuell" on Wednesday. There will also be no further industrial action until January 7, the union chairman emphasized.
The train drivers' union GDL is demanding a reduction in weekly working hours from the current 38 hours to 35 hours with full pay compensation. Deutsche Bahn rejected this as unfeasible in view of the shortage of skilled workers. "The companies are not only ignoring the legitimate needs of their own employees," explained GDL boss Weselsky. "They are also torpedoing the urgently needed measures for successful recruitment."
The union is also demanding a 555 euro wage increase and a 3000 euro inflation bonus for a one-year term. So far, Deutsche Bahn has submitted an offer that provides for an eleven percent wage increase and an inflation bonus of up to 2850 euros - stretched over a term of 32 months. At the same time, a ballot of GDL members on more frequent and longer industrial action is currently underway. According to GDL boss Weselsky, the vote will be counted before Christmas.
"We are ready to negotiate at any time and in any place," emphasized DB personnel director Seiler on Wednesday. "There is so much to do: finally resolve the Christmas issue, shape our 11 percent offer and work on solutions for employees and customers."
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- The rail strike will affect Deutsche Bahn, Transdev, AKN Eisenbahn, City-Bahn Chemnitz, and eight personnel service providers, as announced by the GDL.
- The rail strike has been declared a failure by the train drivers' union in their negotiations with Transdev, which operates regional routes.
- According to the GDL, the upcoming strike is the last action by their union this year, as stated by GDL boss Claus Weselsky.
- Martin Seiler, a member of Deutsche Bahn's Board of Management for Human Resources, criticized the rail strike, calling it irresponsible and selfish.
- The train drivers' union GDL is demanding a reduction in weekly working hours from 38 to 35 hours with full pay compensation from Deutsche Bahn.
- The railroad company has announced that it will inform customers as quickly and comprehensively as possible about the consequences of the rail strike.
- Deutsche Bahn has submitted an offer providing for an eleven percent wage increase and an inflation bonus of up to 2850 euros over a term of 32 months, but the GDL is not satisfied.
- According to GDL boss Weselsky, the union is also demanding a 555 euro wage increase and a 3000 euro inflation bonus for a one-year term.
- The DB personnel director, Martin Seiler, expressed a willingness to negotiate at any time and in any place, in contrast to the current rail strike.
Source: www.stern.de
