As of: January 28, 2024, 4:47 a.m
By: Kai Hartwig
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The GDL is on strike on the railways for a whole six days.
Train passengers react differently to the train drivers' union strike - criticism is growing.
Frankfurt – Rail travelers have to prepare for a full 136 hours of strike from Wednesday (January 24th).
The German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL) has never called for such a long industrial dispute on the railways during the term of office of its boss Claus Weselsky.
The longest GDL strike to date in passenger transport paralyzed large parts of rail traffic in Germany for 127 hours in 2015.
From January 24th at 2 a.m., commuters and weekend trippers will face significant restrictions for almost a full six days.
In contrast to the first GDL strike this year, Deutsche Bahn (DB) does not want to take legal action against it.
At the beginning of January, this attempt failed in several instances.
GDL boss Weselsky felt confirmed by this. “We have not been stopped because our strikes are legal, proportionate and permissible,” he said on Monday (January 22nd) in Berlin.
But do train passengers see it the same way?
Six days of GDL strike from Wednesday (January 24th): Many rail passengers criticize proportionality
The mood is definitely divided.
The reactions of users on
According to an MDR
survey , opinions were similarly divided
during the first GDL strike of the current year.
The next GDL strike is coming up.
Train travelers are at risk of train cancellations and delays.
(Symbolic image) © Moritz Frankenberg/Bodo Marks/dpa
Numerous users on X (formerly Twitter) commented on the new rail strike.
Many of them particularly criticize what they see as the lack of proportionality of the GDL strike, which lasted six days:
“Despite DB’s offer, the GDL has called for a six-day (!) rail strike.
The offer is certainly impressive, but things are still escalating.
This no longer has anything to do with industrial action for better conditions.
No understanding, no solidarity.”
“It's getting annoying, we passengers suffer from it and the train drivers already get enough money and want to work less.
How is that supposed to work?"
“I'm not saying that the demands aren't deserved - just that they're economically unrealistic.
Furthermore, a strike that lasts six days is simply absurd.
And this was in the same month that a four-day strike took place.”
“What Claus Weselsky (GDL) is now organizing, despite renewed fair accommodation and calls for negotiations from Deutsche Bahn, is no longer a labor dispute, but pure egoism without any consideration for losses.
Pro Bahn also calls this unreasonable.”
“If I went on strike regularly and made disproportionate demands on my employer, I would have had a job for a long time.
Where is the proportionality in the constant rail strikes?”
GDL is on strike for six days: Nevertheless, there is understanding among rail passengers
Despite the longest duration of a GDL strike since the beginning of union boss Weselsky's term in office, some rail passengers still understand the work stoppage:
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“Based on the bonus payouts from DB-Bahn management, almost every employee strike is at least understandable.”
“I will always be on the side of the workforce against a railway management that pays out big bonuses even for the most catastrophic performance.
You just have to accept a rail strike sometimes.”
“The demands are still justified and there is still no negotiable offer from the railway.
The consequence is strike and that’s right!”
“My husband is on strike starting tomorrow for better working hours and rest periods in one go so that family life can take place.”
“The strike affects the citizens because the railway does not provide a good offer.
I think it’s unfair that this can only be attributed to the railway employees.”
Tariff dispute between Deutsche Bahn and GDL: Rail travelers want to return to the negotiating table
Several users are calling for a return to the negotiating table to finally end the tariff dispute between GDL and the railway.
But they also reinforce the fundamental right to strike:
“A strike is good and right, but if you, like GDL, show no interest in getting together in a large group, it is no longer in the spirit of a strike, but on the way to blackmail.”
“It is undisputed that salaries that are far too high are being lost in administration.
However, the railway approached the GDL with a significantly better offer.
Why is the answer is another strike but no negotiations?
They usually meet in the middle.”
“I understand how striking works.
But: I also understand how negotiations work.
And there are apparently NO dialogues taking place.
And I have no understanding of THAT.
Six days of strike are NOT worth it to me anymore.”
“Both sides are stubborn and neither is willing to seriously negotiate.
But a six-day strike simply cannot be justified.
Imagine hospital staff and nurses doing something like that.”
Rail passengers affected by the GDL strike can make use of their ticket rights.
In the event of a train cancellation or delays, your money will be refunded.
(kh)