German train drivers to strike again as negotiations falter
March 4, 2024
Train drivers’ union GDL announced a 35-hour strike on Monday, saying the move was inevitable following the recent failure of negotiations over wages and hours.
GDL head Claus Weselsky said the strike would begin on Wednesday night for members who drive freight trains and for drivers of passenger trains from the early hours of Thursday morning.
Weselsky also warned that GDL intends to intensify its activity and that from now on it will no longer issue 48 hours’ notice before downing tools.
“We are starting a so-called strike wave,” he said at a press conference. “As a result, railways will no longer be a reliable means of transport.”
A 35-hour strike for a 35-hour week
It is the fifth set of strikes by the GDL in a negotiation process that has lasted months. The union broke off the latest round of negotiations last Thursday after about four weeks.
GDL chief Weselsky said Deutsche Bahn was ultimately responsible for the strike.
One of the GDL’s main demands that it says Deutsche Bahn will not comply with is the reduction of employees’ standard weekly hours from 38 to 35, with pay unchanged.
“This strike will last a total of 35 hours. Thirty-five hours, so that everyone in the country realizes what this is about: that is, a 35-hour week,” Weselsky told reporters.
More to follow…
msh/ab (dpa, Reuters)
Source: DW
Lori Barajas is an accomplished journalist, known for her insightful and thought-provoking writing on economy. She currently works as a writer at 247 news reel. With a passion for understanding the economy, Lori’s writing delves deep into the financial issues that matter most, providing readers with a unique perspective on current events.