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Rail travelers in Berlin: Should be informed about restrictions in good time
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Paul Zinken / dpa
In the wage dispute between Deutsche Bahn and the union of German locomotive drivers (GDL), warning strikes are more likely. The GDL announced on the evening of Whit Monday that it was rejecting the Deutsche Bahn's offer of May 17 "to cope with the corona crisis in solidarity," said a spokeswoman for Deutsche Bahn. At the same time, the GDL submitted an extensive package of claims that continues to go beyond the economic framework.
GDL boss Claus Weselsky had already shown himself dissatisfied with the offer of the railway a week ago and said that the probability of labor disputes increased with this offer.
There is no basis for negotiation, he said.
The GDL wanted to comment on how to proceed by Monday.
Weselsky did not name a concrete start of possible warning strike actions.
He stressed that travelers would be informed about possible restrictions in good time.
Power struggle between GDL and EVG
On May 17, Deutsche Bahn submitted an offer for the first time in the ongoing collective bargaining dispute, based on the deal that the group had already concluded with the larger railway and transport union (EVG) in September.
Among other things, it includes a wage and salary increase of 1.5 percent from next year and a term until 2023.
From the point of view of GDL, the group fell well short of the demands.
Among other things, the union had demanded 4.8 percent more money and a one-time corona bonus of 1,300 euros.
Weselsky also called for managers to make a greater contribution to savings.
EVG and GDL claim to negotiate for the rail staff.
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.
Regarding the current GDL demands, the railway spokeswoman announced that the group would immediately subject the letter to an intensive examination.
In view of the current situation, Deutsche Bahn described the union's proposal for a negotiation date “in 14 days” as “completely incomprehensible”.
The railway is always ready to negotiate.
apr / dpa