Germany: Deutsche Bahn’s 50-hour rail strike called off
The 50-hour strike that had been called to start on Sunday night on Germany’s rail network was averted after the union and rail operator Deutsche Bahn reached an agreement.
A labor court in Frankfurt confirmed that it had submitted a proposal to which both the railway and transport workers’ union, the EVG, and Deutsche Bahn agreed.
“In the interests of the railway company, its customers and the industry, we have done everything to avoid this strike, and successfully,” said Deutsche Bahn’s Chief Personnel Martin Seiler. “Of course, both sides are always part of such a compromise,” he added.
Despite the cancellation of the strike, Deutsche Bahn said there would still be delays on regional and long-distance trains as the company reschedules the program for around 50,000 rail services that had been cancelled.
Deutsche Bahn and unions promise to continue talks
The industrial plan announced by EVG was expected to severely impact train traffic on Monday and Tuesday next week.
Deutsche Bahn said it would cancel all long-distance trains and most regional services during the strike.
Germany’s national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, had earlier in the day asked for an urgent court order to block the strike. The rail operator said legal action was needed to break the strike “in the interests of customers”.
Seiler defended the move, saying “Recourse to the Labor Court was worth it for everyone”, after the union agreed to call off the strike.
As part of the deal, both sides said they would return to talks in hopes of reaching a speedy conclusion, Deutsche Bahn said in a statement.
Why did EVG call a 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 would have affected Deutsche Bahn and other transport companies.
“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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