On Tuesday evening, the GDL train drivers’ union began its six-day rail strike. There hasn’t been much passenger traffic since early Wednesday morning.
The GDL train drivers’ union has been on strike since Wednesday evening
In the collective bargaining dispute that has been going on since November, it is the fourth and, at six days, the longest labor dispute. In addition to financial demands, the dispute primarily revolves around the issue of reducing weekly working hours for shift workers.
Now the FDP is making a clear demand in the Bundestag. Accordingly, the striking train drivers should be replaced by artificial intelligence. The aim is to have an automation rate of 20 percent of Deutsche Bahn trains in the next 15 years.
Bernd Reuther, transport policy spokesman for the FDP parliamentary group, said “Picture”-Newspaper: “In the future, trains could be used autonomously and therefore more flexibly and efficiently, without having to rely on train drivers. This is also an important step in responding to the increasing need for mobility in view of the shortage of skilled workers in the transport sector.”
The GDL wants to reduce the weekly working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35 hours with the same salary. The railway has so far offered an option model that provides for a one-hour reduction without financial losses. Anyone who decides against this will instead receive 2.7 percent more money. Union boss Claus Weselsky sees the offer as no basis for further negotiations.