Status: 15.01.2024, 10:00 a.m.
By: Yannick Hanke, Lisa Mayerhofer, Felix Busjaeger, Amy Walker, Christoph Gschoßmann
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From the middle of this week, strikes by the GDL union are to take place at the railway. Deutsche Bahn (DB) wants to prevent this from happening in court - and has appealed.
- Strikes in January: The GDL announces extensive strikes from the middle of the week
- Millions affected: Deutsche Bahn announces emergency timetable
- Deutsche Bahn appeals: Court rejects urgent application against GDL strike.
Update from January 9, 16:20 p.m.: Even if the planned train drivers' strike of the GDL union is overturned by the courts, passengers of Deutsche Bahn (DB) will have to prepare for far-reaching restrictions in long-distance and regional traffic on Wednesday. "DB has prepared for the impending GDL strike and is planning to deploy employees and vehicles along an emergency timetable," the company said on Tuesday. This limited timetable has already been entered in all information media. "It will also apply on Wednesday in the event that the strike does not take place." It would not be until Thursday that the usual rail traffic on the rails could be expected again.
A display board at Neubrandenburg station reads "Train cancelled". © Stefan Sauer/dpa/Symbolbild
GDL strike this week: Court decision today at the last second
Update from January 9, 11:20 a.m.: Late on Tuesday afternoon, shortly before the start of the strike, the Hesse Regional Labour Court will deliberate in the second instance on Deutsche Bahn's urgent application against the industrial action of the train drivers' union GDL. The appeal hearing will begin at 17:00 p.m., the Frankfurt court said. The strike is scheduled to begin at 18:00 p.m. in freight transport, with passenger services scheduled to go on strike from Wednesday morning at 02:00 a.m.
The Frankfurt Labour Court had rejected the urgent application for a preliminary injunction against the strike on Monday evening. The railway appealed. "This strike lacks legitimacy and basis," said Florian Weh, chief executive of the DB employers' association AGV MOVE. "In the interests of our customers, we are therefore doing everything we can to prevent it."
The GDL wants to paralyze train traffic nationwide until Friday afternoon in order to underpin its demands in the wage dispute with Deutsche Bahn and other transport companies. At the end of November, the union had declared the negotiations to have failed because the company did not want to negotiate on the union's core demands, in particular a reduction in weekly working hours with full wage compensation.
GDL strike this week: Restrictions possible as early as Tuesday evening
Update from 9 January, 09.45 a.m.: The train drivers' union GDL wants to start a three-day strike on Tuesday evening (18 p.m.), initially in freight transport at Deutsche Bahn. In passenger transport, the strike is scheduled to begin at 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning and, as in freight transport, will last until 18 p.m. on Friday evening. However, Deutsche Bahn warns on X – formerly Twitter – that there may be restrictions in rail traffic as early as Tuesday evening.
Attempts by Deutsche Bahn and its competitor Transdev, which is also affected, to have the strike legally stopped, initially failed on Monday evening before the Frankfurt Labour Court. The railway appealed, the Hesse State Labor Court ruled on Tuesday in the second instance.
It is the third and longest industrial dispute in the ongoing wage dispute between the companies and the German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL). Once again, it is likely to paralyze large parts of long-distance and regional traffic in Germany and force passengers to reorganize planned trips.
Court rejects urgent application against GDL strike - Deutsche Bahn appeals
Update from January 8, 20:49 p.m.: Deutsche Bahn has failed in its attempt to stop the planned train drivers' strike by legal means. On Monday, the Frankfurt Labour Court rejected a preliminary injunction against the strike call of the GDL trade union. The decision can be appealed to the Hessian Regional Labour Court.
Update from January 8, 18:35 p.m.: From the point of view of the Frankfurt Labour Court, the German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL) will be allowed to strike rail transport in Germany again from Wednesday. The court rejected an interim injunction by the railway company Transdev against the strike on Monday in the first instance, as it announced in the evening. The mere allegation of an economic overload on the part of the company is not sufficient to prohibit a strike, the presiding judge explained in her reasoning.
Deutsche Bahn has also brought an action in the same matter before the Frankfurt Labour Court. A decision should be made on Monday. The Labour Court heard the two applications separately.
Transdev, which operates regional railways in eastern Germany and the northwest, among other things, can appeal against the decision from Frankfurt to the Hesse Regional Labour Court. A verdict is expected there on Tuesday.
Update from January 8, 16:30 p.m.: On Monday, the Frankfurt Labour Court will decide in the first instance on the announced strike of several days by the German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL) starting this Wednesday. Both Deutsche Bahn and competitor Transdev had applied for an injunction to legally stop the union's 64-hour industrial action, the court announced on Monday. However, a verdict in the first instance would not be final. Both sides can appeal to the State Labour Court of Hesse. A decision there is not likely to be made until Tuesday.
GDL boss Claus Weselsky expressed optimism about the legal processes on Monday. "We are counting on the law to be on our side. We have lawfully made demands, we have lawfully terminated all collective agreements and we are firmly convinced that we will be vindicated in the labour court this time as well," he said in Frankfurt. "The implementation of a three-day strike is certainly not disproportionate."
Rail strike at the start of the European Championship: Handball federation hopes for emergency timetable
Update from January 8, 15:00 p.m.: Bad luck for handball fans: At the start of the European Handball Championships in Germany, the train drivers' union GDL is on strike. The German Handball Federation (DHB) is now hoping for the emergency timetable of Deutsche Bahn. "I have to make no secret of the fact that we're not happy about it. This comes at the worst possible time," said Mark Schober, chairman of the board of the German Handball Federation, at a press conference in Cologne on Monday.
From Wednesday - the day of the opening of the European Championships - until Friday, the train drivers want to go on strike. This would lead to far-reaching restrictions on passenger transport by rail. Deutsche Bahn, which is the mobility partner of the organizers of the European Championship, wants to stop the labor dispute by legal means.
The European Championship organisers have already taken measures to avoid major chaos at the start of the tournament. "There will be a special timetable for the teams, officials and fans who have bought a ticket," Schober announced. In addition, "additional parking capacities have been created around the Düsseldorf football arena, where around 53,000 fans are expected to attend Germany's opening match against Switzerland on Wednesday, because we assume that more people will come by car."
A traveler stands in front of an empty display board at the main train station in Stuttgart. The GDL wants to strike from Wednesday. © Anna Ross/dpa
Deutsche Bahn takes urgent action against strike plans in court
Update from 8 January, 09.30 a.m.: The decision of the Frankfurt am Main Labour Court on the urgent application filed by Deutsche Bahn for a preliminary injunction against the strike of the train drivers' union GDL is expected on Monday evening. According to Deutsche Bahn, the hearing is scheduled to begin at 18:00 p.m.; the verdict is expected the same evening.
In order to prevent the strike planned by the GDL, Deutsche Bahn submitted the urgent application in the morning. The union is planning a strike lasting several days, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday. Employees are called upon to stop work from Wednesday 10 January at 02:00 until Friday 12 January at 18:00. In freight transport at DB Cargo, the strike is scheduled to start on Tuesday at 18:00 p.m. Deutsche Bahn expects significant disruptions to rail operations as a result of the strike.
Update from 8 January, 09.30 a.m.: As announced, Deutsche Bahn filed an urgent application for a preliminary injunction at the Frankfurt am Main Labour Court on Monday morning to prevent the strike of the train drivers' union GDL. It is not yet clear when the court hearing will begin, a company spokesman said.
On Sunday, the GDL called for a strike lasting several days starting on Wednesday. The workers are to stop work from January 10 at 02:00 a.m. to January 12 at 18:00 p.m., the union had announced. In freight transport at DB Cargo, the strike will begin on Tuesday at 18:00 p.m. Deutsche Bahn expects a massive impact on rail operations.
GDL strike: Deutsche Bahn announces emergency timetable
Update from January 8, 07:59 a.m.: Deutsche Bahn assumes that the train drivers' strike will affect millions of passengers this week. The company announced an emergency timetable with severely limited services for Wednesday to Friday. "For these journeys, DB is using longer trains with more seats in order to be able to bring as many people as possible to their destination. Nevertheless, a ride cannot be guaranteed," the company said on Sunday evening. At the same time, Deutsche Bahn intends to take legal action against the strike.
The German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL) has called on its members to go on another warning strike at Deutsche Bahn. © Georg Moritz/dpa
Passengers are asked to refrain from non-essential rail travel during the strike or to postpone the journey. There will be major differences across Germany in how many trains will be able to run in regional traffic. "There will also be massive restrictions for industry and business in rail freight transport," the statement said.
Update from January 7, 22:05 p.m.: The GDL's announced strike could have similar effects to the two GDL warning strikes last year. At that time, Deutsche Bahn had to cancel around 80 percent of its long-distance services. Even though the strike ends at 18:00 p.m. on Friday, traffic is expected to have an impact until late in the evening. In freight transport, the strike is scheduled to begin on Tuesday at 18:00 p.m.
The main focus is on the GDL's demand for a reduction in the weekly working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35 hours with full pay. Deutsche Bahn considers this to be unfeasible and proposed to extend existing choice models for working hours. Until now, employees have been able to decide whether they want more money, more vacation or fewer weekly working days. However, those who opt for shorter working hours will have to make concessions to a collectively agreed wage increase, Deutsche Bahn emphasized. The GDL is also demanding 555 euros more per month for employees with a term of one year for the collective agreement. Deutsche Bahn offered an 32 percent increase over a period of <> months.
GDL strike on Tuesday evening: Strike round ends Christmas truce
Update from January 7, 19:48 p.m.: The GDL's latest round of strikes puts an end to the so-called Christmas truce. Previously, the union had ruled out industrial action over the Christmas period and the turn of the year up to and including 7 January. Now follows the third and longest walkout in the ongoing wage dispute.
"DB Group did not take advantage of the Christmas truce to counteract industrial action with a negotiable offer," the GDL announced. The GDL has already paralyzed large parts of rail traffic in Germany twice with warning strikes. After union members voted in a ballot in December, the GDL can now call for longer strikes.
DB goes to court over GDL strike: Group considers strike "legally inadmissible"
Update from January 7, 19:37 p.m.: Deutsche Bahn reacts to the announced strike of the GDL and goes to court. In a statement on Sunday evening, the company announced that the new work stoppage would be a "strike without legitimacy and without reason". The procedure is sharply criticized and an immediate appeal is filed. "This strike is not only absolutely unnecessary, but we also consider it legally inadmissible," says DB Board Member for Human Resources Martin Seiler. "This is because the train drivers' union has lost its collective bargaining capacity due to the establishment of its temporary workers' cooperative. The GDL is thus affecting our passengers without legitimacy and for no reason."
According to the press release, DB is calling on GDL to call off the strike and instead attend a negotiation date proposed by DB on 10 January.
Termin für GDL-Streik steht: Lokführer bestreiken DB ab Dienstagabend
Update vom 7. Januar, 19.00 Uhr: Nun wird es offenbar konkret. Wie die Gewerkschaft in einer Bekanntmachung mitteilt, bestreikt die GDL ab Mitte der Woche die Deutsche Bahn. Die Aktion soll am Dienstagabend zunächst beim Güterverkehr starten. Mittwochfrüh bis Freitagabend ist auch der Personenverkehr betroffen. Die Arbeit im Personenverkehr soll im Zeitraum vom 10. Januar (2 Uhr) bis 12. Januar (18 Uhr) niedergelegt werden. Der Streik bei DB Cargo beginnt bereits am 9. Januar um 18 Uhr.
In its strike announcement, the German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL) criticises, among other things, a "deliberate misleading" by DB Group and blames DB AG for the "work stoppage".
First details of the DB strike known – GDL will stop work from Tuesday evening
Update from January 7, 9:07 a.m.: The uncertainty on the rails will start again for passengers from this Monday. Then the self-imposed "Christmas truce" of the German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL) in the wage dispute with Deutsche Bahn and other companies will end. Strikes will therefore be possible again from the beginning of the week. At least on Monday and Tuesday, however, train traffic in Germany should roll as usual. An important meeting of the German Civil Service Association (dbb), of which the GDL is a member, should not be jeopardized by labor disputes at the railway, according to dbb boss Ulrich Silberbach.
From Wednesday at the latest, strikes on the railways can be expected at any time. Especially since a rapprochement between the two sides in the wage dispute is currently not foreseeable. The railway had expanded its previous offer once again on Friday. For the first time, it took up a reduction in working hours demanded by the GDL. However, Group Chief Human Resources Officer Martin Seiler still does not want to know anything about the full salary compensation, which is also demanded.
Update from January 5, 16:08 p.m.: After Deutsche Bahn made a new offer to the GDL, a union spokesman confirmed that it would now be examined. No further details or information on a possible strike were given. The Christmas truce proclaimed by the GDL ends on Monday. However, according to the chairman of the German Civil Service Association (dbb), there will be a walkout on Wednesday (10 January) at the earliest. The reason for this is the annual conference of the dbb, of which the GDL is a member. He had agreed with GDL boss Claus Weselsky "that no strikes will take place during the meeting in Cologne," dbb boss Ulrich Silberbach told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. "Arrival and departure is ensured. What happens after that is out of my hands."
Deutsche Bahn presents new offer and wants to negotiate again on Wednesday
Update from January 5, 14:07 p.m.: According to Deutsche Bahn, it has submitted its new offer to the GDL trade union. Now she wants to talk about new trial dates and proposes January 10. In this context, the question of GDL's ability to negotiate collective bargaining agreements must also be clarified. The company currently assumes that the GDL has lost its collective bargaining capacity due to the establishment of its temporary worker cooperative Fair Train. Among other things, this is due to personnel and organizational interdependencies in the management positions of GDL and Fair Train. With the establishment of its temporary workers' cooperative, the trade union was at the same time an employer and had virtually negotiated and concluded a collective agreement with itself.
Will Deutsche Bahn trains soon be paralyzed by a strike? (Symbolic photo) © Thomas Banneyer/dpa
Update from January 5, 12:22 p.m.: Deutsche Bahn may want to avert a strike with a new offer to the union. In an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Chief Human Resources Officer Martin Seiler said that they now want to "go a long way towards meeting the GDL's core demands". "We now want to negotiate additional election models for shift workers. They could then work only 38 hours instead of 35 - or even 40 hours. Everyone chooses, just like in a cafeteria," Seiler said. In addition, shift workers are to be offered more choice in terms of hours.
However, Seiler also said that there could be no full wage compensation for less working hours. "If there are additional costs due to shorter working hours, there must be cuts in wage increases." But they want to talk to the union about what is possible. In return, however, the GDL should let the strikes be for the time being. "There's really no reason for that now."
Rail strike possible from Monday – no new details known
Update from January 5, 11:34 a.m.: The passenger association Pro Bahn has criticised the demands of the GDL trade union. In an interview with NDR, Pro Bahn chairman Malte Diehl said that a reduction in the working hours of train drivers would be unacceptable. "Then even more trains will be cancelled." Deutsche Bahn has submitted an offer, but the GDL would prefer to win a competition with the EVG union, Diehl continued.
Long-distance transport would also be massively affected by a GDL strike that lasted for days (symbolic image). © Martin Wagner/Imago
Update from January 5, 9:20 a.m.: Nothing new is known about the exact date of the train drivers' strike. The only thing that is certain so far is that the winter break will end on Monday, and strikes will be possible at any time from then on. The GDL has promised to announce the strike at least two days in advance. Accordingly, it is rather unlikely that the walkout will begin directly from Monday.
What also speaks against a walkout on January 5 is the announced farmers' protest throughout the country. The focus is then likely to be on farmers, who want to start a week of action on Monday. However, this will not culminate until January 15 in Berlin – if both actions take place at the same time, then there is a threat of absolute traffic chaos.
First reported on 2 January:
Munich – In the new year 2024, a fierce wage dispute is raging between Deutsche Bahn and the train drivers' union GDL. The train drivers are threatening new strikes from 8 January. Until then, the union has called for a Christmas truce. The GDL wants to announce any longer industrial action at least 48 hours in advance.
However, the union is aware of its "responsibility", said the GDL chairman of the train drivers' union, Claus Weselsky. It is true that indefinite strikes are also legally possible through the ballot. However: "We have never initiated indefinite strikes," Weselsky said on Deutschlandfunk. When asked if he could rule them out in the current round, he said "of course". In addition, there is also the threat of strikes at airports in Germany.
GDL rail strike in January: union does not want to strike for more than five days at a time
The GDL does not want to strike for more than five days at a time. "We will do strikes of three to a maximum of five days," Weselsky told the Rheinische Post with regard to the threat of rail strikes by the GDL in January 2024.
However, a new court case could massively change the conditions in the conflict. As the newspaper Bild reports, the railway is suing the GDL. This is about the fundamental question of whether the GDL train drivers are allowed to strike, negotiate or conclude a collective bargaining agreement in the current way.
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GDL rail strikes in January: DB sues train drivers' union
The train drivers from the GDL union are to quit their railway jobs and then work again as "temporary train drivers" via "Fair Train" at the state-owned company. Whether this is legal is to be clarified before the Hessian State Labour Court after a declaratory action has been filed.
According to the research, "Fair Train" and the GDL had concluded a collective agreement with themselves, so to speak, because they were acting as an employer and a trade union, which would cause them to lose their collective bargaining capacity. In addition, there are said to be serious conflicts of interest. This would probably have a major impact on future strikes after a verdict, but not on the GDL's current threat of a rail strike.
GDL rail strike: Negotiations on fewer working hours and wage increases have so far failed
The GDL and Deutsche Bahn have been in negotiations on new collective agreements since the beginning of November. However, the chairman of the train drivers' union, Claus Weselsky, declared the negotiations to have failed after the second round. A central sticking point in the conflict is the GDL's demand for a reduction in weekly working hours for shift workers with full pay.
The union wants to achieve a reduction from 38 to 35 hours. However, Deutsche Bahn considers this to be unachievable, among other things in view of the shortage of skilled workers. The GDL has already tried to increase the pressure on the railways with two warning strikes. So far, however, Deutsche Bahn is sticking to its stance on the subject of working hours. At DB competitor Netinera (including Metronom, ODEG, Vlexx), the GDL is further along with its demands: There, the gradual introduction of the 35-hour week will begin as early as the beginning of 2025.
With material from AFP and dpa