Despite renewed rail strikes, the federal government does not want to get involved in the conflict. The traffic light government simply appealed to the responsibility of both sides. The Pro Bahn passenger association, however, sees an obligation for politicians to intervene.
In view of the new strike announcements by the GDL union at Deutsche Bahn, the federal government has appealed to the responsibility of both collective bargaining parties. Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) made it clear that a solution could only be found at the negotiating table, said a spokesman. There is therefore a clear expectation of returning there. Both parties have “a very significant responsibility” also towards millions of passengers whose everyday lives are affected. In addition, Germany is experiencing a growth slowdown.
However, the federal government, as the owner of the railway, does not want to become involved in the conflict for the time being. There is collective bargaining autonomy in Germany, which must be adhered to, said the ministry spokesman.
Deputy government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner said that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) generally does not interfere in collective bargaining disputes. “We appeal to both sides to take responsibility and hope that this will have a good outcome soon.”
In the collective bargaining dispute with the railway, the GDL had previously called for a new, 35-hour strike. In passenger transport it will start on Thursday at 2 a.m. and end on Friday at 1 p.m., announced GDL boss Claus Weselsky. In rail freight traffic, the strike is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 6 p.m. and last until Friday at 5 a.m.
In addition, the GDL no longer wants to announce future strikes 48 hours in advance, emphasized Weselsky. “We are starting so-called wave strikes,” he said. “This means that the railway is no longer a reliable means of transport.”
“An abuse of the right to strike”
CSU General Secretary Martin Huber accused the GDL of abusing the right to strike. “It is indecent, irresponsible and shameless to speak openly as a union leader in these times that the aim of the strike is chaos and a lack of planning,” said Huber.
Therefore, strikes should have to be announced in advance, especially in the case of critical infrastructure, they must be limited in time and an arbitration procedure – albeit unsuccessful – must have taken place in advance. “The way it’s happening here now is obviously an abuse of the right to strike, which serves the union boss’s own selfishness rather than improving the situation,” said Huber.
Pro Bahn demands action from the federal government
The Pro Bahn passenger association made serious accusations against the GDL and the railway. “The collective bargaining partners are currently destroying the transport transition,” said Pro-Bahn boss Detlef Neuß to the Rheinische Post. “What’s going on now can no longer be conveyed to passengers.” Despite the legal autonomy in collective bargaining, it is now time for politicians to take action. “The federal government owns the railway. That’s why it has a duty to intervene.”
No collaboration with ver.di
Almost at the same time as the rail strikes, there are also work stoppages at airports: the ver.di union had called on Lufthansa ground staff to go on warning strikes on Thursday and Friday.
According to ver.di, there were and are no agreements with the GDL. “These are completely different tariff areas and companies. There are no agreements or points of contact,” said a spokesman for the ver.di federal executive board. “We don’t coordinate and we don’t talk to each other.” It was pure coincidence that a number of collective bargaining disputes ran parallel this spring.
The German Locomotive Drivers’ Union GDL – unlike ver.di – is not organized in the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB). In numerous railway companies, the GDL competes with its sister railway and transport union (EVG), ver.di, for members, influence and collective bargaining agreements.
Uli Hauck, ARD Berlin, tagesschau, March 4th, 2024 3:38 p.m