GDL: German Train Drivers Plan New ‘Strike Wave’ From Thursday

The GDL union’s leader announced plans for a series of strikes affecting German train services starting Thursday, intensifying an ongoing disagreement with the national rail operator and potentially causing widespread travel disruptions.

Claus Weselsky, the head of GDL, stated that the initial strike in passenger rail transport would commence at 0100 GMT on Thursday and continue for 35 hours, with further strike actions to be determined and communicated subsequently.

He characterized this move as the onset of a “strike wave” during a briefing with journalists.

Negotiations between GDL and Deutsche Bahn (DBN.UL) had been ongoing for several weeks but reached an impasse last week.

The breakdown follows the failure of talks aimed at resolving the protracted dispute.

In late January, a national rail strike, intended to be the longest in the state-owned company’s three-decade history, was called off due to economic concerns amid Germany’s slowdown.

This development placed pressure on GDL to return to negotiations.

The primary point of contention revolves around GDL’s insistence on a reduced 35-hour working week for shift workers at full pay, a demand that Deutsche Bahn has rejected.

The rail operator accuses the union of being unwilling to engage in meaningful compromise.

Weselsky emphasized that the decision to initiate the strike with a duration of 35 hours was deliberate, intended to underscore the union’s position on the matter: “35 hours so that everyone in the country realises what we are about, namely the 35-hour week.”

Main Image: Bigbug21 (talk | contribs) via Wikipedia.

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