As of: March 6, 2024, 4:25 p.m
By: Ulrike Hagen
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After breaking off collective bargaining with Deutsche Bahn, the GDL is increasing the pressure: wave strikes are now threatening without notice.
Berlin - The collective bargaining negotiations between Deutsche Bahn and the train drivers' union GDL have failed, and now, after the upcoming strike on Wednesday and Thursday (March 6th and 7th), further wave strikes have already been announced by the GDL.
Rail travelers should prepare for “massive” restrictions, as Deutsche Bahn announced.
On Wednesday evening there will be another strike on rail traffic by the GDL.
There is a risk of numerous regional and long-distance train failures.
© Bodo Marks/dpa
GDL threatens wave strikes on the railway – what that means for passengers
The GDL has canceled the collective bargaining negotiations with Deutsche Bahn that were originally scheduled for this week and announced spontaneous “wave strikes”.
Passengers now have to dress warmly.
For this week, Deutsche Bahn will probably be able to put together an emergency timetable with great difficulty - although massive train cancellations and restrictions are of course to be expected.
But what will happen after the strike days on Thursday and Friday is still unclear.
“However, the GDL is already pointing out that it can no longer guarantee that travelers will be informed in a timely manner in the event of future strikes,” it says on the union’s website.
Martin Seiler, the head of human resources at Deutsche Bahn, said on Monday (March 4th) that wave strikes like those already announced by the GDL had “never happened” at the railway.
GDL announces 35-hour strike on Wednesday and Thursday
“However, DB never conducted the negotiations in a solution-oriented manner,” said the GDL.
“In fact, Deutsche Bahn lives in a parallel world,” because at the end of January the GDL had already moved far away from its demands with the agreement proposals sent to Deutsche Bahn.
“It is the GDL that has already made extensive concessions in this collective bargaining round and it is the railway board that is not moving an inch and is driving the GDL members into further strikes,” explained GDL boss Claus Weselsky.
In the collective bargaining dispute with Deutsche Bahn, the GDL union has therefore called for a 35-hour strike.
“35 hours so that everyone in the Republic understands what we are about: namely the 35-hour week,” said Weselsky on Monday.
In addition to the gradual introduction of the 35-hour week with wage compensation for shift workers, the GDL is calling for a basic five-day week and a wage increase of 420 euros.
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Further work stoppages announced: Wave strikes will “massively affect” rail traffic
Deutsche Bahn warns of “massive effects” of the renewed GDL strikes on operations.
During the last GDL strike in January, around 20 percent of long-distance connections were canceled, as were numerous regional and S-Bahn connections.
As with the last strike, DB has announced a basic offer for long-distance, regional and S-Bahn transport.
In long-distance transport, longer trains with more seats are used; in regional transport, the aim is also to maintain a basic service.
“The scope varies depending on the region,” says the railway.
GDL wave strikes at Deutsche Bahn: basic offer for rail travelers
The emergency timetable for long-distance transport for Thursday (March 7th) is available on bahn.de and in DB Navigator.
“We recommend long-distance travelers to reserve a seat early,” said Deutsche Bahn on Tuesday afternoon (March 5th).
Deutsche Bahn has issued clear recommendations for passengers during the upcoming wave strikes by the train drivers' union GDL.
Travelers should definitely get information from the DB timetable information, the app or the strike hotline on 0800-99 66 33.
Train connection falls – train travelers can use tickets for other connections
The railway offers flexibility for passengers who have purchased a ticket for a trip during the strike period up to and including Monday, March 4th and would like to postpone their trip.
The train connection has been lifted and tickets can be used at a later date.
Cancellations and delays due to a rail strike: Passengers can have their tickets refunded
For travelers who cannot or do not want to postpone their trip and would like to switch to other means of transport, there is the option of canceling tickets and seat reservations that have already been booked free of charge and having the entire travel price refunded at the DB Travel Center.
Tickets purchased online can be refunded using an application form that can be accessed via the customer account or the train app.
General passenger rights in the event of delays also apply during strikes.
If there is a delay of 60 minutes at the destination station, rail customers receive a partial refund of the fare, namely 25 percent of the ticket price.
If you're 120 minutes late, you'll get 50 percent back.
Relevant application forms are available at the travel center or online.
There are special packages for travelers with a Germany ticket or time ticket.