For the sixth time, train drivers have stopped work in the current wage dispute with the railway. The latest strike in passenger transport continued into the night. The railway emphasizes that the emergency timetable is working so far.
With the start of the strike by the GDL train drivers’ union, Deutsche Bahn’s strike schedule also started as planned. “We have managed to offer a basic service of around 20 percent of the usual timetable in long-distance transport despite the GDL’s short-term strike announcement,” said a railway spokesman.
In regional transport, the offer varies depending on the region. Passengers must once again expect major restrictions on passenger transport throughout the day. You are requested to inform yourself about the Railway information channels to inform you about your trip.
“We will return to normal operations very quickly tomorrow, Wednesday, and offer the full program for our passengers in passenger transport again,” said railway spokesman Achim Stauß. The railway appealed to the GDL to announce possible future strikes more in advance. The union only informed about the upcoming strike on Sunday evening.
Urgent application from the railway rejected
At 2 a.m., as announced, Deutsche Bahn train drivers stopped working in passenger transport for the sixth time in the ongoing wage dispute. The strike is expected to last 24 hours. In freight transport, the strike began on Monday evening at 6 p.m.
The railway had tried to prevent the strike with an urgent application to the Frankfurt labor court, but was unsuccessful. The court rejected an injunction against the strike call and classified the strike as “not disproportionate”. It rejected the company’s accusation that the strike announcement was far too short-term and that there had also been “illegal demands.”
Bahn is appealing
The railway then announced that it would appeal to the Hessian State Labor Court. In the interests of our customers, we (…) are doing everything we can to stop the wave strike,” emphasized Florian Weh, managing director of the employers’ association AGV Move, which negotiates on behalf of Deutsche Bahn.
The appeal is not scheduled to be heard until Tuesday around noon – after the strike begins. If the Hessian State Labor Court decides differently than the Frankfurt Labor Court, the GDL would have to interrupt its strike. However, this would not mean an immediate end to the restrictions for passengers.
Weselsky is satisfied
The GDL federal chairman Claus Weselsky was satisfied with the court decision. “The court has confirmed it once again: the GDL strikes are proportionate, permissible, legal and therefore suitable for pursuing the legitimate demands of the railway workers through industrial action.”
The union is fighting for higher salaries and fewer working hours at the railway. The crux of the conflict continues to be the demand that shift workers only have to work 35 hours instead of the current 38 hours for the same money.
In a moderation, the railway accepted a compromise proposal. This envisaged reducing working hours to 36 hours in two steps by 2028. The GDL refused and allowed the talks to fail.
It no longer announces new strikes 48 hours in advance, but rather at short notice. Weselsky has not yet ruled out strikes at Easter either.
Association puts into perspective Strike impact in freight transport
With a view to freight transport, the association “Die Güterbahnen” – a competitor of Deutsche Bahn – put the effects of the strike into perspective. “Today, 60 percent of rail freight transport is handled by companies that are not part of the DB Group,” said Managing Director Peter Westenberger BR.
The supply is therefore not at risk, says Westenberger. “There is a lot of exaggeration in the public debate about the strike.”
The GDL strike is actually a relief for his association. Westenberger: “For our association, canceled trains mean that there is more space than usual on the otherwise highly loaded network and therefore our freight trains get through better and more punctually.”