Deutsche Bahn asks court to block 50-hour rail strike
Germany’s national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, has sought an urgent court order to block a 50-hour rail strike scheduled to start on Sunday night.
The rail strike announced by the German railway and transport workers’ union, the EVG, is expected to severely impact rail traffic on Monday and Tuesday of next week.
Deutsche Bahn has said it will cancel all long-distance trains and most regional services during the strike.
The industrial action comes amid faltering negotiations between the union and Deutsche Bahn.
But the rail operator said legal action was needed to break the strike “in the interests of customers”.
Why is EVG holding the strike?
EVG is negotiating new collective agreements with 50 rail companies for 230,000 employees, 180,000 of whom work for the German national rail operator Deutsche Bahn.
According to the EVG, the strike will affect Deutsche Bahn and other transport companies.
The strike workers’ decision was called “crazy” and “excessive” by Deutsche Bahn’s chief of staff Martin Seiler.
“Our members’ patience is now really exhausted,” EVG wage negotiator Cosima Ingenschay said on Thursday. “We are forced to strike for 50 hours to show the seriousness of the situation.”
Rail workers have staged several rounds of strikes in previous months, including actions called by the large union Verdi, as rising inflation raises the cost of living.
Source: DW
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