Anger is growing in Germany. The railway workers began a “historic” strike on Tuesday during which they will walk out for six consecutive days. This is the longest movement in the history of German railways since we have to go back to 2015 to find traces of a mobilization almost as important.
This strike, which is due to end on January 29, could undoubtedly cost the country “up to 100 million per day,” economist Michael Grömling already estimates. And even “reach a billion euros in extreme cases” while the Deutsch Bahn (DB) announces around “ten million euros” daily.
A “destructive” strike
Transport Minister Volker Wissing called it “destructive” as Germany, where GDP contracted by 0.3% last year, is falling behind in international competition.
The movement was sparked by a conflict over wages and working hours. Train drivers have already gone on strike three times since last November. They are demanding salary increases to compensate for inflation and a move to a 35-hour week over four days, compared to the current 38 hours a week.
For its part, the national company claims to have “made concessions” and a final “generous offer of up to 13%” of salary increases with the possibility of a reduction in working hours (37 hours per week). She fears that this will paralyze the entire country.
The action “is also a strike against the German economy,” said DB spokesperson Anja Bröker, warning of the impact on supply chains. If the railway operator wants to strive to guarantee deliveries to power plants and refineries, disruptions in the supply of automobile, chemical or steel factories cannot be ruled out.