Status: 16.01.2024, 15:34 PM
By: Mark Stoffers
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Claus Weselsky, chairman of the German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL), is the face of the strike. © Arne Dedert/dpa
GDL boss Claus Weselsky is increasing the pace compared to Deutsche Bahn. A new rail strike by the train drivers' union could last even longer.
Frankfurt – There is no end in sight to the GDL's rail strike. The chairman of the train drivers' union, Claus Weselsky, speaks out against mediation in the wage dispute at Deutsche Bahn. "Constitutional matters" cannot be arbitrated, he told the Stuttgarter Zeitung and the Stuttgarter Nachrichten.
Next rail strike of the GDL: deadlocked negotiations on the collective agreement for dispatchers
In addition to the reduction of weekly working hours from 38 to 35 hours, one of the central demands of the train drivers' union is the collective agreement for dispatchers. It is precisely on this point that the negotiations seem to be deadlocked, which could lead to the next rail strike by the GDL. "The question of whether I will get a collective agreement for dispatchers is not something I am going to put in the hands of an arbitrator," said Weselsky about the current development in the labor dispute.
The GDL had recently increased the pressure on the railways with a three-day strike until Friday evening and is meanwhile waiting for a new offer from Deutsche Bahn. Weselsky, who himself had missed his train to Berlin due to the GDL's rail strike, was convinced that the GDL would also get a collective agreement for dispatchers who coordinate train operations. For the further course of the wage dispute, Weselsky announced that he would further increase the pressure.
New rail strike of the GDL: Weselsky increases the pressure – "In principle, longer and harder"
"In principle, it's going to be longer and harder – that's the message," he said, also with a view to the next possible rail strike by the GDL in the not too distant future. "I don't think I'm taking much time." Weselsky's statements in the direction of Deutsche Bahn show how deadlocked the negotiations are at the moment and it is possible that the fronts could harden even further. Finally, the GDL can tighten the screws even further and intensify the industrial action again.
Could Germany also face an indefinite rail strike by the train drivers' union?
Is there a threat of an indefinite rail strike by the GDL? "I don't see any content on offer"
Weselsky apparently does not want to resort to this drastic measure with the GDL. At least not for the time being. However, the union does not want to enter into an indefinite GDL rail strike at this time, "because we see responsibility for the entire system and because we think that the effects would be too great," Weselsky said about the possibility of an indefinite rail strike by the GDL.
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However, an extension of the work stoppages is possible: "Whether I go on strike for three or five days depends on what happens." Deutsche Bahn would have to submit a substantial offer – "and I don't see any substantive offer coming at the moment". Nevertheless, the GDL boss recently had to put up with criticism for the GDL's rail strike. Anja Bröker, a spokeswoman for Deutsche Bahn, criticized a tactic that "Mr. Weselsky likes to keep quiet." However, it remains questionable whether this circumstance can avert another rail strike by the GDL.