Deutsche Bahn cancels all long-distance trains on Monday

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn announced on Thursday that no long-distance trains would operate on Monday due to transport strikes across the country.

The decision came after unions EVG and Verdi announced a strike aimed at paralyzing large sections of the public transport system.

The strikes come as German employees in many sectors seek significant pay increases to keep pace with persistently high inflation.

What the train operator said

“This will affect all German rail operations as employees from all areas of Deutsche Bahn and other rail companies have been asked to leave,” the operator said in a statement. “Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance traffic is therefore completely disrupted.”

“According to union statements, the first effects of the workers’ strike are possible as early as Sunday night. Also on Tuesday, several trains will be canceled due to the effects of the strike,” he added.

The company urged passengers to postpone trips planned for Monday to the following day whenever possible.

Airports also land flights

Following the union’s announcements, Germany’s busiest airport, Frankfurt Airport, said it was canceling all scheduled air traffic next Monday.

“All tasks that allow full flight operations” are suspended due to the strike,” announced Fraport, the airport’s operating company.

Munich Airport, the country’s second-busiest hub, said there would be no passenger flights on Sunday and Monday.

What did the unions say?

The two unions, representing thousands of workers, called a major transport strike as part of their campaign for better wages.

The one-day action will affect trains, planes, shipping and local transit.

The strikes are the latest in a series of protests by transport unions in recent months. This comes as Germans struggle with an inflation rate of more than 8% after the Russian invasion of Ukraine sent food and energy prices soaring.

Frank Werneke, head of Verdi, said the strike would have a “massive effect” across the country.

Almost 380,000 passengers “will not be able to board” due to the strikes, warned the ADV, the German airport association.

Around 120,000 Verdi employees working at all German airports except Berlin, local transit workers in seven of Germany’s 16 states, and road and port workers are expected to take part in the walkout.

The strike is scheduled to start at midnight on Monday and will affect services throughout the day.

What are the demands?

Some 2.5 million people working in the public sector are represented by Verdi in salary negotiations.

Meanwhile, 230,000 employees of Deutsche Bahn and bus companies are represented by EVG.

EVG is demanding a 12% pay rise, or at least €650 ($706) a month, while Verdi is asking for a 10.5% pay rise, or €500 a month.

“We represent groups of workers who literally run this country and are paid very poorly to do so,” Werneke said.

He added that inappropriate offers from employers had led them to “act as a united force” with the EVG.

Rail operator Deutsche Bahn and other public employers are proposing an average wage increase of 5% and a one-off payment of up to €2,500. However, the wage increase offered is lower than the 2022 inflation rate of 6.9%.

“We don’t want more lineups. We want a negotiable offer,” said Martin Burkert, head of EVG.

What has been the reaction?

Deutsche Bahn condemned the planned strikes as unnecessary and unfounded, insisting its offer of a pay rise was reasonable.

“The EVG must assume its responsibility and return to the negotiating table immediately,” said Martin Seiler, director of personnel at Deutsche Bahn.

“Our employees and passengers now need a quick solution, not a big strike,” he added.

Ralph Beisel, general manager of the airport association ADV, also denounced the planned strike.

He said the protests were influenced by current French demonstrations against the government’s planned pension reforms.

“The strikes announced for Monday go beyond any imaginable and justifiable level,” Beisel said.

rc,aa/nm (AFP, dpa)

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