“Three to a maximum of five days”
Weselsky sets the strike framework
December 21, 2023, 2:00 a.m
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Shortly before the holidays, GDL boss Weselsky announced what travelers and commuters could face in terms of strikes from the second week of the new year. He combines his update with sharp criticism of the railway board and bonus payments – as well as a demand from Transport Minister Wissing.
After members agreed to indefinite strikes, GDL boss Claus Weselsky made it clear that the train drivers’ union would not go on strike for longer than five days. “We will go on strikes lasting three to a maximum of five days,” Weselsky told the Düsseldorf “Rheinische Post”.
Weselsky further emphasized: “Calling an indefinite strike would be out of order in view of the customers and the economic consequences. We are living up to our responsibility.” He never talked about it either. It remains the case that there will be no new strike by train drivers until January 7th.
Demand to Transport Minister Wissing
At the same time, Weselsky is calling on Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing from the FDP to intervene in the deadlocked wage dispute. “Transportation Minister Wissing should throw this railway board out. And if he doesn’t do that, he should take the board to task.” The reaction of the company’s management to the result of the ballot was “outrageous”. The trade unionist also explained: “Wissing should cancel the bonuses for the board and finally set measurable and short-term goals. Then we can talk about bonuses again.”
Weselsky’s union declared that talks with the state-owned company had failed in this year’s collective bargaining round at the end of November. The biggest point of contention is the GDL’s demand for a reduction in working hours from 38 to 35 hours per week for shift workers with full wage compensation. In addition, she demands 555 euros more per month as well as an inflation compensation bonus of 3,000 euros.