Status: 07/06/2021 3:28 p.m.
In the wage dispute between the train drivers’ union GDL and Deutsche Bahn, no relaxation is in sight. The GDL rejected the latest rail offer and did not spare + criticism. The railway accused the GDL of “refusing to accept”.
The union of German locomotive drivers (GDL) does not want to return to the negotiating table for the time being in the current wage dispute with Deutsche Bahn. The union rejected a corresponding request from the group, which it had combined with a concrete offer. “It is neither a serious nor an extended offer,” said GDL boss Claus Weselsky. The design of the railway was “a sham offer bursting with false claims”.
GDL criticism of “Lügenbaron Seiler”
The new offer from Bahn’s Chief Human Resources Officer Martin Seiler does not go beyond the previous one and is still below what an arbitration recommended last year. It is “fake news” from the “Baron of Lies Seiler”.
The employers’ side asked the GDL last Thursday to continue the negotiations and made suggestions as to when certain tariff levels could apply: Employees would receive 1.5 percent more money from January 2022. From March 2023, salaries and wages would then be reduced a further 1.7 percent increase. With a total volume of 3.2 percent, Deutsche Bahn orients itself towards the airport termination in the public service.
The union, on the other hand, wants the steps to be applied more quickly: It is now demanding 1.4 percent more money for the current year as well as 600 euros in Corona aid. As early as next year, wages and salaries should then rise by a further 1.8 percent. The collective bargaining dispute also includes issues of old-age provision and mobility benefits.
Strikes could be approaching
“The GDL will not bother to answer the employer,” said the union with a view to the updated offer of the railway. The DB has “lost all reference to reality”.
A good four weeks ago, the GDL declared the collective bargaining talks to have failed and announced a strike vote on strikes. This should be counted on August 9th. In the expectation of a clear vote from the GDL members, that will be enough answer to the employer, “said Weselsky.
Bahn criticism of the GDL: “If you don’t come to the negotiating table now, you don’t want a solution.”
Image: dpa
Sharp rail criticism of the GDL’s attitude
Deutsche Bahn sharply criticized the union’s attitude. “Anyone who does not come to the negotiating table now does not want a solution and has no interest in finding reasonable compromises,” said a spokeswoman for the group. The railway remains “ready to negotiate anytime anywhere”. In the collective bargaining round, it must be about “finding solidarity and justifiable solutions” in view of the economic damage caused by the corona pandemic.
At the same time, Deutsche Bahn rejected the charge that the offer from July 1, 2021 was not an extended offer. The most recent offer is very much an improved offer. Employees thus received more money in the past.