Deutsche Bahn is threatened with strikes lasting several days and thousands of train cancellations next year. The members of the train drivers’ union GDL have cleared the way for indefinite industrial action by voting, as GDL boss Claus Weselsky announced.
97 percent of the voting members were in favor of it. “Overall, our colleagues have sent a clear signal,” said Weselsky about the result. Indefinite strikes required 75 percent approval. According to Weselsky, voter turnout was more than 70 percent.
When is the threat of a permanent strike?
The union had recently promised not to call for industrial action up to and including January 7th – but after that, the vote gives Weselsky and his members the opportunity to strike on the railway for days. The GDL could go on strike from January 8th. Because then the so-called Christmas truce ends. According to information, it could start from Thursday, January 11th. The duration? Not clear.
This will be really hard for a lot of people
“What’s coming now will be stronger, longer, harder for customers,” Weselsky now announces, compared to previous warning strikes.
FOCUS online advises: Stay flexible! As a rule, the railway cancels any train connections for certain days with the cheaper saver tickets as a gesture of goodwill. But it doesn’t help much if you want or even have to travel on certain days.
In the event of a permanent strike, the journey there and back could be significantly more difficult than in the case of a warning strike, which usually only lasts a few days. It is also unlikely that the railway will organize an emergency timetable. Rather, the demand for bus and flight tickets then increases significantly, which in turn leads to sharp price jumps. There are no savings prices anywhere.
If you want to be on the safe side and have to travel urgently in January, February or March, you should take a plane or bus. Rail capacity utilization is likely to be very high, especially on weekends before the start of the strike. Seat reservations are not possible. Families with children should definitely take this into account. Good to know: If the train is not running or is expected to arrive at your destination at least 60 minutes late, you can request a refund of the ticket price. This also applies to strike days.
What is the strike actually about?
The GDL’s demands are clear: employees should receive at least 555 euros more per month as well as inflation compensation. At the same time, weekly working hours should fall from 38 to 35 hours without shift workers receiving less money. For comparison: In August, after two warning strikes, the EVG achieved almost 410 euros more per month for employees and an inflation adjustment.