Before a six-day strike
GDL boss Weselsky accuses the railway of trickery
January 22, 2024, 11:48 a.m
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The train drivers’ union will stop work for six days starting Wednesday. GDL boss Weselsky verbally attacks the railway negotiator, accuses him of tricks and questions his suitability for collective bargaining.
The train drivers’ union GDL has accused the railways of deception and thus justified their six-day strike. The new offer from Deutsche Bahn negotiator Martin Seiler is not a basis for negotiations, said GDL boss Claus Weselsky. “Mr. Seiler also tricks and deceives rail customers, not just his own employees.”
Seiler linked the proposed reduction in weekly working hours by one hour to the fact that the railway could hire enough additional employees. In addition, the railway refuses to even negotiate a GDL collective agreement for employees in the infrastructure. The GDL will only come to the negotiating table if there are no preconditions. Weselsky again rejected arbitration.
The GDL has announced the fourth round of strikes in the ongoing collective bargaining dispute for Wednesday morning at 2 a.m. The strike is scheduled to last until next Monday at 6 p.m. and would be the longest in the 30-year history of Deutsche Bahn. A strike in freight transport will be called from Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Weselsky went on to say that Seiler had to ask himself whether he was still a suitable negotiator. In the last few weeks, the GDL has concluded collective agreements for around 10,000 employees at smaller rail companies.
Bahn wants to increase total by 13 percent
Deutsche Bahn recently offered to increase wages by 4.8 percent from August and by 5.0 percent from April 2025. In addition, an inflation compensation bonus of 2,850 euros should flow as quickly as possible. In addition, from January 2026, train drivers and train attendants could reduce their weekly working hours by one hour. Overall, the offer adds up to up to 13 percent. The railway also points out that it cannot conclude a contract with the GDL because of the collective bargaining agreement for employees in the infrastructure, as the union does not have a majority in any part of the company.
The GDL has named a reduction in working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35 hours with full wage compensation as a core demand. The union also demands 555 euros more per month. In addition, a one-time tax-free inflation bonus of 3,000 euros is required. The term of the collective agreement should be twelve months.
The Federal Government Commissioner for Rail Transport, Michael Theurer, called on the GDL and Deutsche Bahn to return to the negotiating table. “The collective bargaining parties are called upon to find solutions in the negotiations instead of fighting the conflict on the backs of those who depend on a functioning railway every day,” said Theurer to the editorial network Germany in view of the GDL’s latest strike announcement.