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GDL boss Weselsky
Photo: Britta Pedersen / dpa
The wage dispute between Deutsche Bahn and the union of German locomotive drivers (GDL) intensifies.
The union rejected a first offer from the employers' side on Tuesday.
There is no basis for negotiation, said GDL boss Claus Weselsky one day after the third round of talks in Berlin.
"Not only are we not satisfied with the offer, we will answer it accordingly," he said.
The likelihood of strikes in rail traffic is increasing, said Weselsky.
The unionist did not make any specific announcements.
However, he did not rule out any period for possible warning strikes, not even Whitsun (23/24 May).
Weselsky emphasized that travelers would be informed about possible restrictions in good time.
The GDL wants to comment on how to proceed by May 24th.
The railway had submitted an offer the day before, based on the deal it had concluded with the Railway and Transport Union (EVG) in September.
It includes a wage and salary increase of 1.5 percent from the coming year and a term until 2023. In addition, the group wants to exclude operational dismissals for the contract period and hire new employees "at a high level" this year and next.
Union: management "enriches itself"
From the GDL's point of view, the group remains significantly behind the demands.
The union had demanded, among other things, 4.8 percent more money and a one-time corona bonus of 1,300 euros.
"The company continues to adhere to the fact that the management level is getting rich and that the little railroader should be fobbed off with negative laps," said Weselsky.
The railway criticized the statements of the union chief.
"As of today it has been proven: the GDL boss apparently has little in mind," said a spokeswoman.
"The GDL leadership is consciously accepting damage to customers and railways with its threats at a time when Germany is starting up again."
From the perspective of Deutsche Bahn, there is no scope for any other offer.
The group points to the high damage caused by the Corona crisis.
The group had made a record loss of 5.7 billion euros last year.
As the owner, the federal government has promised billions in aid.
The railway itself has to save around two billion euros.
The GDL boss calls for managers to make a greater contribution to the savings.
However, he also links this to another topic: In the railway company, the GDL is struggling with the larger EVG for power and influence.
By the end of last year, a basic contract between GDL and the group ensured that the contracts of the smaller union were also applied.
But this expired at the end of 2020.
There is still no follow-up regulation.
beb / dpa
