After the GDL strike: no step closer to a solution

Most of the trains are back on the road, the GDL believes that it is on the up and the railway is in a tight spot. In terms of content, there has been little progress in the collective bargaining dispute after the third wave of strikes.

When the several hundred GDL members recognized Claus Weselsky yesterday afternoon, cheers broke out: big applause for their union boss. Weselsky has not even entered the strike stage in front of Berlin Central Station.

At this point in time there were still eleven hours of strike ahead of the GDL – but Weselsky is already looking extremely satisfied. He climbs up on the stage, waves to the audience, and lets himself be celebrated. He’ll talk for a good half an hour. He speaks free, does not need a manuscript to look back on the past days of the strike.

Weselsky on top

He was particularly encouraged by the victory in court last week – when Deutsche Bahn failed in its attempt to stop the strike with an injunction. “It’s worth gold!” He shouts into the crowd. What you are doing here is “lawful, permissible and proportionate”.

His relief is understandable: after all, his union has once again strained the patience of many people. 110 hours strike in passenger traffic and 118 hours strike in freight traffic: the second longest strike in the history of Deutsche Bahn AG.

“Many passengers are gradually losing understanding of the strike,” sums up Detlef Neuss, federal chairman of the Pro Bahn passenger association. The economy is also feeling the consequences. The Association of the Chemical Industry announced that it would take a few days before the transports were back to normal.

The railway in trouble

The small union has demonstrated strength and is waiting for further concessions from Deutsche Bahn. She wants wage increases in 2021, she wants the reintroduction of the supplementary pension. And above all, she doesn’t want to negotiate all of this just for train drivers and train attendants. The GDL wants more power – again and again with reference to the basic principle anchored in the collective bargaining law – and thus brings Deutsche Bahn into difficulties.

Because the management board of DB had actually hoped for calm in the group: With the application of the collective bargaining unit law (TEG), the group only has to conclude collective agreements with the union of a professional group with the largest number of members. Within the approximately 300 operations at the railways, this is usually the EVG railway and transport company.

But instead of rest, the train now has annoyed passengers and an euphoric GDL. Shortly after Weselsky was celebrated by hundreds of strikers in front of Berlin Central Station, yesterday train spokesman Achim Strauss stood alone in front of a few media representatives in front of Friedrichstrasse station: He briefly regretted the many train cancellations, called the GDL strikes “irresponsible” and resigned after the strikers ” the complete program “for the passengers.

No solution in sight

However: Not a word about a new offer to the GDL. No indication of how to proceed. The statement took less than two and a half minutes – inquiries not allowed.

After the end of the strike this morning, Deutsche Bahn continues to negotiate: The GDL should give up its blockade. But she has no need to move quickly. It is hard to imagine that GDL and Bahn will find out from this dispute on their own.