Only today does the train drivers’ union’s self-imposed peace obligation still apply – after the premature failure of collective bargaining with the railways, there is a threat of new strikes. Transport Minister Wissing urges both sides to reach an agreement.
After collective bargaining negotiations between the train drivers’ union GDL and Deutsche Bahn failed again, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) appealed to both sides to find a compromise. “We won’t get anywhere here by insisting on maximum positions. It would no longer be explainable to the people in this country if there were another strike after months of negotiations because those responsible at the negotiating table couldn’t find a solution,” he told Bild am Sonntag.
Wissing sees Security risk
In addition to rail drivers, the economy would also be affected by new strikes because freight transport would also not be able to run and coal transport for power plants, for example, could have problems. Wissing warned: “In addition to the massive disruption to everyday life for large parts of the population, those responsible should remember that there is war in Europe. This wage dispute must not become a security risk. We must find a common solution to this problem.”
After the premature failure of four weeks of negotiations on Thursday, the GDL announced that it would stick to its self-imposed peace obligation up to and including today. But from next week there is a risk of long labor disputes again and thus far-reaching disruptions to long-distance, regional and freight transport.
No agreement despite experienced mediators
According to the railway, two arbitrators have already been sitting at the negotiating table in the past few weeks. The railway had called in the former Federal Minister of the Interior, Thomas de Maizière. Schleswig-Holstein Prime Minister Daniel Günther mediated on behalf of the GDL. But even the experienced mediators were unable to broker a compromise.
During the resumed negotiations, both sides agreed to secrecy up to and including March 3rd. This silence broke prematurely on Thursday. Despite extensive concessions and despite the use of external moderators, the GDL canceled the talks early on, the company said. “We were prepared to take steps to reduce working hours that went far beyond our last offer,” said Human Resources Director Martin Seiler.
The GDL did not deny this, but accused the railway of not sticking to the agreements regarding external communication. “This information was deliberately leaked by DB management in order to then pin it on the union side,” the union said.
The crux of the matter is working hours
According to the railway, the negotiations failed due to the union’s core demand for a reduction in weekly working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35 hours without financial losses. The railway rejects this, but in the previous weeks had suggested solutions within the framework of existing working time choice models.