Several thousand farmers and hauliers in Rhineland-Palatinate want to take part in the week of protests against the federal government’s austerity plans. Demos and rallies are planned from January 8th. There could also be a risk of a new strike by train drivers.
Demonstrations and rallies are planned in all 14 districts of the Rhineland-Nassau Farmers and Winegrowers Association next Monday at lunchtime and in the afternoon, said the association’s spokesman, Herbert Netter, on Thursday in Koblenz. At least 1,000 farmers with tractors are expected at the final rally on Monday evening in Koblenz alone. In total, up to 5,000 participants are expected to take part in the decentralized protests.
“We want to take people with us, not upset them”
The farmers’ and winegrowers’ association rejects highway blockades with tractors. “We want to take people with us and not upset them,” said Netter. The aim is to achieve something politically.
In social networks, especially in channels run by right-wing extremists and so-called lateral thinkers, there is even talk of a general strike. The German Farmers’ Association had already distanced itself from these calls in December and spoke of one “Appropriation of the action week”.
On Monday, farmers from the region will once again mobilize against the federal government’s austerity plans – with protest trips with tractors and a demonstration in Koblenz.
Motorway blockades announced in West Palatinate
In the area West Palatinate However, farmers announced that they would block highways on Monday. Where exactly is not yet clear. On the following Wednesday (January 10th), a nationwide campaign will also take place on Ernst-Ludwig-Platz in Mainz, in which farmers from the West Palatinate will also take part. More than a hundred bonfires are also planned in the association’s area on Saturday evening (13th).
Numerous farmers from the Southern Palatinate The farmers’ and winegrowers’ association announced on Thursday that they were planning to block the motorway entrances along the A65 with their tractors on Monday morning. The details are still being discussed with the police.
For Rhine Hesse The Farmers and Winegrowers Association of Rhineland-Palatinate South is planning smaller, decentralized campaigns for Monday. These can be bonfires or rallyes with tractors. Traffic disruptions are to be expected on the affected roads.
In the Eifel Three actions are planned: In Daun, the district farmers’ association has called for a rally in Daun with a rally at 11 a.m. In Wittlich there will be a demo and rally at 10 a.m. on Kurfürstenplatz that day. A third action takes place in Bitburg. Further details are yet to be announced.
Farmers protest against the federal government’s austerity plans
Especially in December, farmers in many places protested planned cancellation of tax relief by the traffic light coalition protests. They fear significant additional costs if the subsidy for agricultural diesel ceases and vehicle tax has to be paid for tractors in the future. Agricultural and forestry vehicles are currently exempt from vehicle tax. Farmers currently only pay around half the tax rate for agricultural diesel.
Traffic light coalition accommodates farmers
The protests appear to have had an impact. The traffic light coalition announced on Thursday afternoon that it would partially withdraw the planned cuts for farmers. Accordingly, the vehicle tax exemption for agriculture should continue to exist. The tax breaks for agricultural diesel should not be abolished in one step, but gradually.
It is not yet clear whether this concession will be enough to appease the farmers and even forego the planned protests on January 8th.
Freight forwarders want to take part in protests
In addition to farmers, the shipping industry also wants to take part in the protests. People here are angry about the increase in truck tolls decided by the traffic light government. There are also calls for relief from diesel fuel and more money for roads, bridges and parking spaces. It is still unclear whether there will be any actions next Monday.
The Federal Association of Logistics and Transport-pro (BLV) called on its members and supporters to take part in a rally in Berlin on January 18th. There will be a demonstration at the Brandenburg Gate a day later.
There is also a threat of a new strike by train drivers
Things could get tight not only on the roads in Rhineland-Palatinate, but also for rail travelers and commuters from next week. Train passengers must also expect strikes lasting several days and indefinitely from Monday. The train drivers’ union (GDL) cleared the way for this in a strike vote in mid-December.
Immediately after the vote, GDL boss Claus Weselsky initially ruled out further labor disputes in the collective bargaining dispute with Deutsche Bahn until January 7th. At the beginning of next week, however, the breather could be over again.
What if the GDL gets serious again from January 8th and goes on strike? Here you can find out at a glance how you can get to work and what rights employees have.
GDL boss Weselsky: “longer” and “more intense” strikes
It cannot yet be said with certainty whether and for how long the GDL will go on strike. After a strike vote, there is basically no time limit for strikes. GDL boss Weselsky spoke of “longer” and “more intense” strikes in December.
So far in this year’s collective bargaining round, train drivers have stopped work twice and largely brought rail traffic to a standstill. At the end of November, the union declared the talks with the state-owned company had failed. The biggest point of contention is the GDL’s demand for a reduction in working hours from 38 to 35 hours per week for shift workers with full wage compensation. In addition, the GDL charges 555 euros more per month as well as an inflation compensation bonus of 3,000 euros.
Bahn is suing GDL
As it became known on Tuesday, Deutsche Bahn is taking legal action against the train drivers’ union. A railway spokesman said the company had filed a so-called declaratory judgment action with the Hessian State Labor Court. In this way, the railway can clarify in court whether the GDL is through its The temporary worker cooperative Fair Train has lost its collective bargaining rights.