As of: February 2, 2024, 4:57 a.m
By: Romina Kunze
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Split
Disagreements on the edge of the rail strike: satirist “El Hotzo” supports the strike, but the majority of those affected lack understanding.
© X/Imago
The majority of those affected find the train drivers' demands excessive.
Satirist “El Hotzo” has a different opinion.
The rail strike shows that “they should be paid well”.
Munich - Regardless of the resulting circumstances, the dissatisfaction of the affected travelers was limited due to the previous warning strikes at Deutsche Bahn.
Many seemed to understand the labor disputes.
Alone: Understanding doesn't get you to work or travelers to their destination.
In view of the six-day standstill on the rails, many rail travelers seem to have lost their patience, criticism is getting louder and the tone is harsher.
The strikers, on the other hand, receive support from prominent sources.
Their importance in society can be seen especially now that they are stopping work.
“El Hotzo” provokes and speaks out in favor of a rail strike: “It’s crazy how big the effects are”
Since November 2023, the German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL) has been negotiating with Deutsche Bahn for better collective agreements.
Both parties did not come to an agreement - commuters and train passengers had to suffer for this several times.
Three warning strikes within three months, the fourth and longest train driver strike to date came before February.
Whether it will be the last for the time being is still up in the air, but as things stand, it can be doubted.
For many people, the idle trains also mean personal standstill - in many places the strike also includes regional and S-Bahn transport.
Satirist and podcaster Sebastian “El Hotzo” Hotz makes it clear in his usual sarcastic manner in an X article that this is exactly the best argument for the GDL demands.
A hint of system relevance can be read between the lines when he writes: “It's crazy how big the effects are when the train drivers go on strike.
Half the country is at a standstill.” And the punch line adds a good deal of cynicism: “Sometimes it almost seems to me as if they should be paid well.”
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“I would be happy about the train driver’s salary” – statement about the rail strike divides opinion
Professionally, “El Hotzo” does with his statement what good satirists do – he refers to a social issue, provokes and divides people.
“Completely quixotic demands from a Sun King who only cares about power,” said one user indignantly in the comments.
“And your attitude towards employers and employees is annoying.
There is a lot between 'all employers are bad' and 'all employees are poor',” he concludes.
Others share the opinion that the demands are excessive and that the train driver's salary is already comparatively high.
According to the online marketing company
kununu
, train drivers at Deutsche Bahn earn an average of 40,700 euros a year.
Depending on experience, level of education and location, the range is between 32,900 and 59,700 euros.
“I work in nursing and would be happy about a train driver’s salary.
“I’m going on strike now too and leaving work, oh wait…” comments one user.
Another agrees: “That’s a lot for just a little bit of lever pushing” and is met with contradiction.
“I don’t think it’s that great for the job,” writes one person, citing the working hours and high level of responsibility for many people.
For most of the strike's supporters, the millions in CEO bonuses at Deutsche Bahn are a thorn in the side.
Appropriate or not?
This is how much train drivers earn compared to Germany
In an interview with
watson.de
, a train attendant asks himself uncomfortable questions.
He can understand the frustration on the part of the travelers, but he still finds the demand and the strike justified given the current working conditions.
According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, train drivers are largely below the average of what employees in Germany earn.
As
Wirtschaftswoche
writes, the average annual salary in Germany is 49,260 euros.
Certainly unthinkable for people in retail, care or catering.
In a Stern salary list that compares 100 professions, these sectors rank far below.
As a result, train drivers – the interviewee worked for the railway – also perform below average.
For a fitness influencer from the USA, however, even $200,000 a year was not enough.
What used to be an absolute taboo, more and more employees in Germany are now talking openly about money.
Younger Gen Z employees in particular make no secret of the importance that salary has for them.
(rku)