Radicalized unions
The major strike is completely exaggerated
A comment by Jan Ganger
03/24/2023 4:52 p.m
The Verdi and EVG unions are planning to trigger traffic chaos next Monday. Irrespective of how justified their tariff demands are, they cannot hope for understanding.
Together, two unions want to paralyze traffic across Germany as much as possible on Monday. Verdi, the public sector union, and the EVG railway workers’ union are counting on an unprecedented escalation – even though collective bargaining with employers is still ongoing. The attempt to plunge the country into traffic chaos is therefore completely exaggerated.
Because of the strike, the railways have to stop all long-distance traffic on Monday. In regional traffic, there will be hardly any trains nationwide. Nothing will work in local transport in many federal states and municipalities. Airports – including the most important ones in Frankfurt and Munich – close for a whole day. Shipping and motorway traffic are also hampered. The cancellations and delays are felt by millions of people who need or want to get from one place to another.
Absurdly, all of this is just a warning strike. Both sides are currently negotiating with each other. While both unions are doing their best to obstruct traffic in Germany as much as possible, the third round for the 2.5 million federal and local employees begins on the same day in Potsdam. The next round of negotiations between Deutsche Bahn and the EVG is only scheduled for a few weeks. The employer side has submitted offers. Even if they are far too small from the trade union point of view: It is excessive to take a large part of the population hostage at this point in time.
Of course, trade unions have the right to enforce their demands with industrial action. And if they don’t hurt anyone, they’re useless. However, it is not okay for Verdi and EVG to escalate to the maximum during ongoing negotiations. It doesn’t matter how understandable their collective bargaining demands are, for example in view of the high inflation.
Those responsible at Verdi and EVG are obviously not just concerned with higher wages. They are also concerned with positioning themselves in power struggles. The leadership of the EVG wants to do something in the fight for members of the rowdy rival union GdL. And Verdi boss Frank Werneke is standing for re-election in September. Confrontation, public attention and possible membership growth are of great benefit for this.
From the point of view of EVG and Verdi, the end justifies the means. But that is a mistake.