Stop “excessive greed for strikes”.
FDP General Secretary Djir-Sarai wants to restrict the right to strike
March 17, 2024, 3:21 a.m
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After the train drivers’ strikes on the railway, FDP politician Djir-Sarai says things cannot continue like this – and is bringing changes to the right to strike into play. In the case of critical infrastructure, for example, it should be possible to exchange negotiators.
In view of the months-long wage dispute between the train drivers’ union GDL and Deutsche Bahn, FDP general secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai is calling for the right to strike to be restricted. “We need comprehensive reforms to the right to strike in the area of critical infrastructure,” said Djir-Sarai to “Bild am Sonntag”. “This includes instruments such as mandatory arbitration, clear strike deadlines and the possibility of exchanging negotiators. We also have to talk about a general restriction of the right to strike in sensitive areas.”
Particularly when it comes to critical infrastructure, it is crucial “that proportionality is maintained and excessive strike greed, as we have experienced, is prevented in the future,” said the FDP politician. Djir-Sarai particularly harshly criticized the GDL’s behavior: GDL boss Claus Weselsky had “held the entire country hostage for months without showing any serious willingness to find a compromise.” The economic damage to Germany is now enormous. “Things cannot continue like this in the future,” said the Secretary General.
The GDL has already gone on strike six times in the current collective bargaining round, the most recent strike ended on Wednesday morning. Above all, the union wants to enforce its demand for a 35-hour week for shift workers with full wage compensation.
The railway and the GDL are now negotiating again. Yesterday both parties expressed confidence that they would be able to announce a result next week. Until then, the GDL will refrain from further strikes. Negotiations are taking place “in a small circle and behind closed doors”.