faq
Protesting farmers are blocking the roads in many places this week. Now, of all times, the strike by the GDL train drivers’ union has begun. What awaits passengers?
When will there be a strike?
The work stoppage by the train drivers’ union GDL in freight transport began at 6 p.m. From early Wednesday morning at 2 a.m., work will also be stopped in passenger transport. The strike is scheduled to end on Friday evening at 6 p.m. Passenger traffic is likely to be affected on three days. The prerequisite is that the strike is not stopped by the courts. In that case, the strike that has already begun would be ended.
However, the railway will stick to its emergency timetable. If there is a full-scale strike, there will probably not be a large number of trains on the rails even after the strike ends on Friday evening. As before, the railway should concentrate on a smooth start to operations on Saturday. The group has not yet announced any details.
Which traffic is affected?
The employees of Deutsche Bahn as well as the railway companies Transdev and City-Bahn Chemnitz have been called on to stop work. Significant disruptions are therefore to be expected nationwide in both long-distance, regional and freight transport. The group wants to offer an emergency timetable.
However, this “only ensures a very limited range of trains in DB’s long-distance, regional and S-Bahn traffic,” the company said. “Please refrain from unnecessary travel during the GDL strike and postpone your trip to another time,” is the railway’s recommendation.
Which regions could be particularly affected?
During the two previous GDL warning strikes, the railway was able to maintain around 20 percent of the usual long-distance service. In regional transport, the effects varied greatly depending on the region. Experience has shown that many employees are organized by the GDL, especially in the eastern German states and the southwest. Regional traffic there is likely to be particularly affected.
Where can I find out more about my train?
You can see whether a long-distance or regional train is running or not using the train app or the train website. A strike hotline has been set up for individual information (08000 99 66 33).
What happens to my ticket?
All passengers who wish to postpone their journey planned for Wednesday to Friday due to the strike can use their ticket at a later date. The train connection has been lifted. The ticket is valid for the journey to the original destination, even with a changed route. Seat reservations can be canceled free of charge. Passengers also have the option of bringing their trip forward to Tuesday. If the booked train is canceled, a complete ticket refund is also possible.
There are more Railway company affected by the warning strike?
Apart from the companies mentioned, which are directly on strike, all other rail companies can theoretically offer their journeys. The GDL mainly represents train drivers and train crews on the railway. Dispatchers who coordinate train traffic nationwide are also called on a warning strike. But only a few of them are GDL members. The rail network should therefore generally be passable in large parts of the country.
Why is the GDL on strike?
In the current collective bargaining round, the union primarily wants to fight for a reduction in weekly working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35 hours with full wage compensation. The railway rejects this. GDL boss Claus Weselsky therefore declared the negotiations to have failed and criticized the fact that no compromises could be found with the federally owned company.
In addition to the reduction in working hours, the union is demanding 555 euros more per month and an inflation compensation bonus. The railway had offered eleven percent higher fees for a term of 32 months as well as the inflation compensation bonus.
What are the chances? Collective bargaining?
The union and the railway have become deadlocked in the collective bargaining dispute, and there have been no negotiations, at least officially, for several weeks. The offer presented by Deutsche Bahn last week has not changed this.
The group suggested expanding existing choice models for working hours. Up to now, employees can decide whether they want more money, more vacation or fewer working days per week. For example, you can reduce your working hours from 39 to 37 hours per week, but you will receive 5.7 percent less pay. The railway offers the possibility of reducing weekly working hours in this mode to 35 hours.
If you want, you could also work up to 40 hours a week for a little more money. Anyone who decides to work shorter hours will have to compromise on a collectively agreed wage increase, emphasized the railway. The GDL does not see the railway’s initiative as an offer that can be negotiated.
What’s up with the lawsuits? labor courts on yourself?
Both Transdev and Deutsche Bahn have tried to stop the strikes through court through an interim injunction. The Frankfurt Labor Court rejected corresponding applications on Monday evening. However, the railway immediately appealed to the Hesse State Labor Court. The court decision will be made shortly. The Hessian State Labor Court has been negotiating the admissibility of the strike since early evening.