The nationwide train drivers’ strike in passenger transport by Deutsche Bahn began early on Monday morning. “We went on strike punctually at two o’clock in the morning,” said an employee of the German Locomotive Drivers’ Union (GDL). The GDL is thus expanding its strike from freight to passenger transport as planned. By Wednesday morning, 2 a.m., millions of travelers have to be prepared for massive restrictions, especially in long-distance traffic. In addition to the train drivers, employees in the infrastructure – for example in the signal boxes – are again called on to stop their work.
An exact assessment of the effects of the strike would only be possible after the start of operations in the morning, Deutsche Bahn announced at night. Around a quarter of the long-distance trains should therefore run. A train should come every two hours, especially on some of the main axes. But the offer will be distributed very differently from region to region, it said. Train cancellations and delays would become the norm. Freight traffic has been on strike since Saturday.
The railway failed on Sunday when it tried to avert the strike in passenger traffic. She agreed to negotiate a corona bonus for employees, one of the GDL demands. In this way, “we are responding to an important concern of the unions,” said Human Resources Director Martin Seiler. According to Bahn, the money should be paid out for 2021. Seiler did not give an exact amount. The GDL had asked for a corona premium of 600 euros. Other points of contention are the increase in table wages, the term of the collective agreement and pension provision.
GDL boss Claus Weselsky called the offer of the railway a “smoke candle”. The GDL is basically ready to negotiate, “but only on the basis of an offer that deserves its name.”