Status: 06.09.2021 5:51 p.m.
With the end of the strike in the coming night, train traffic should be largely normal again, said the railway. The GDL confirmed this – but warned of further strikes. Renegotiations are not in sight.
Deutsche Bahn expects normal train operations again for Tuesday. In the early morning at 2 a.m., the train drivers’ union GDL wants to end its five-day strike in passenger traffic. Preparations were already under way on Monday to be able to resume train traffic according to the timetable, the company announced. “Trains are being transferred to tomorrow’s departure station and employees are on their way so that they can take over their trains at the right place tomorrow morning,” said a statement.
“We are confident that we will be able to offer the timetable offer again largely without restrictions on Tuesday after the end of the strike,” said railway spokesman Achim Stauß. Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that there will still be irregularities in the course of Tuesday. Passengers were therefore asked to find out about the connection they had booked in advance on the Internet or via the DB Navigator app. Further information can also be obtained via the hotline 08000-996633 throughout Tuesday.
“After the strike is before the strike”
The train drivers’ union (GDL) confirmed that the third strike in the current collective bargaining round will end as planned. However, further work stoppages in the future cannot be ruled out. “After the strike is before the strike,” said GDL boss Claus Weselsky in front of members at Berlin Central Station. It is up to the management of the railway whether there is another labor dispute.
Weselsky asked for an offer that would enable the union to conclude a collective agreement for all members in the various rail companies. He also demanded wage increases for employees as in the public sector from this year, a corona bonus and the continuation of the previous company pension system.
With a view to the citizens and passengers affected by the strike, Weselsky said: “We ask you to accept and appreciate that employees here show in an exemplary manner how to bring an employer to its knees in a labor dispute who uses taxpayers’ money to waste and self-interest . “
Progress uncertain
How the collective bargaining will continue is uncertain. The positions are still far apart, the railway apparently does not want to present a new offer for the time being. On Wednesday, shortly before the start of the strike, the group tried to prevent the labor dispute with a new offer. After the GDL refused, the railway tried to prohibit the recusal as disproportionate before the labor court in Frankfurt. With that she failed.
Bahn: Hardly anyone except train drivers is on strike
In addition to the train staff, the GDL had also called on employees from other employment groups to go on strike – according to statements by the railway, however, only a few of these employees took part in the labor dispute. In the areas of network, maintenance and at the train stations “no work stoppages worth mentioning have been recorded,” explained Deutsche Bahn.
According to this, almost 7,500 train drivers have so far participated in the third wave of strikes, and Deutsche Bahn employs around 19,700 in total. Of the around 48,000 DB Netz employees, a total of 62 signalmen had gone on strike last week since the strike began last week, and 40 of over 24,000 employees in maintenance were on strike. According to Bahn 22 of around 7,200 employees in the passenger stations went to work.