Status: 08/31/2021 8:47 a.m.
The third train drivers’ strike is coming – and is expected to last significantly longer than last. Left parliamentary group leader Bartsch called on the Chancellor to prevent the labor dispute. The passenger association Pro Bahn criticized the duration of the strike.
Following the renewed strike announcement by the train drivers’ union GDL, left parliamentary group leader Dietmar Bartsch called on Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) to intervene in the collective bargaining dispute.
“A third strike would be completely unreasonable,” said Bartsch of the dpa news agency. “The ball is now with the federal government. The Chancellor must prevent the strike and instruct the rail company to meet the demands.” Deutsche Bahn is a federally owned company. Bartsch emphasized that citizens have a right to a functioning state. “For reasons of pandemic alone, this theater has to be ended. The GDL demands are justified and affordable.”
Five days of no-go in passenger traffic
The GDL announced the third strike within a few weeks on Monday. It should start in passenger traffic on Thursday at 2 a.m. and last five days – significantly longer than last time. In freight transport, work is to be stopped on Wednesday evening.
GDL boss Claus Weselsky described the renewed strike as “one of the longest industrial action that we have carried out, and that on purpose”. The union sees itself forced to the new strike because the railway has so far not submitted an offer “that works with numbers, data and facts”. Open-ended strikes are currently not an option.
Passenger Association criticizes the duration of the strike
The passenger association Pro Bahn asked those involved in the collective bargaining dispute to return to the negotiating table. “Many passengers are at the end of their patience,” said Deputy Federal Chairman Lukas Iffländer. “Especially now, when many want to find their way back to the railway after a long pandemic-related interruption, the dispute only creates incomprehension among many.”
Pro Bahn criticized the fact that many passengers could not simply switch to other travel days because of the long duration of the upcoming strike. The early announcement of the GDL on Monday made it easier to plan the trip. This is the second time in a row that the GDL union is fulfilling the passenger association’s demand to announce strikes at least 48 hours in advance.
Bahn makes preparations
The railway must now use this time to work out emergency timetables. The third GDL strike will also hit hundreds of thousands of commuters and numerous travelers. The holiday season is running, in several federal states there are still school holidays.
The railway announced that it would make “a reliable mobility offer” for around a quarter of the trains normally planned for long-distance traffic. In regional and S-Bahn traffic, there should again be a basic offer of 40 percent of the trains. In addition, travelers could use their tickets flexibly during the strike period and move forward or postpone travel until September 17. A refund is also possible.
The company criticized the GDL top: It is all about expanding their power – at the expense of travelers and the economy, said personnel manager Martin Seiler. The labor dispute cannot be justified by anything.
Conflict over term, premium and company pension
The GDL advocates higher pay and better working conditions for employees. It also wants to score points in the competition with the second rail union EVG.
The GDL is calling for a tariff increase of 1.4 percent in 2021 and 1.8 percent in 2022 as well as a corona premium of 600 euros. Deutsche Bahn is ready to raise wages by this amount, but it is disputed when the individual levels should take effect and how long the new collective agreement should apply. The GDL wants a term of 28 months. The rail offer would run for 40 months, which the union rejects. The employer is also ready to talk about the Corona premium, albeit so far without a quoted offer. There is also a dispute over the upcoming reform of the company pension system.