Train drivers' union GDL holds out the prospect of longer strikes after the Christmas vacations

Train drivers' union GDL holds out the prospect of longer strikes after the Christmas vacations

"We will strike the railroads in moderation," said Weselsky. "We don't have to strike indefinitely to bring the rail system to a standstill." The union is also "so responsible that we will not strike forever".

Weselsky accused DB personnel director Martin Seiler of not wanting to negotiate the GDL 's core demand - a reduction in weekly working hours from 38 to 35 hours for shift workers. "We will break the railroads' blockade," the GDL boss told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper. "If Mr. Seiler does not negotiate with us, the question of power will arise."

The train drivers last held a nationwide warning strike last Friday. A ballot of union members is currently underway to strike more frequently and for longer from January. The result is to be announced on December 19.

"I expect a high level of approval for industrial action, i.e. significantly more than the necessary 75 percent," GDL boss Weselsky told theAugsburger Allgemeine newspaper. "So far, we have only called for 24-hour warning strikes twice."

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1. Union leader Claus Weselsky of GDL stated that they will strike the railroads moderately, not indefinitely, to bring the rail system to a standstill.
2. Weselsky criticized DB's Martin Seiler for not wanting to negotiate the GDL's core demand – a reduction in weekly working hours from 38 to 35 hours for shift workers.
3. The train drivers' union GDL held a nationwide warning strike last Friday, and a current ballot is underway among union members to strike more frequently and for longer from January.
4. Weselsky anticipated a high level of approval for industrial action, suggesting significantly more than the necessary 75% in the union members' vote.
5. DB personnel director Martin Seiler has reportedly not been negotiating the main demand of the GDL, which could lead to a question of power, as claimed by Weselsky.
6. The Augsburger General newspaper reported that if Seiler does not negotiate with the GDL, the train drivers' union may break the railroads' blockade.
7. The rail strike could potentially impact the Christmas vacations, as the union considers striking more frequently and for longer from January, according to the ongoing ballot.
8. The indications from the GDL union suggest a longer rail strike after the Christmas vacations, following the union's ballot results and its intentions to break the rail system's operations if necessary.

Source: www.stern.de