As of: February 12, 2024, 5:23 a.m
By: Lars-Eric Nievelstein
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There is currently peace between Deutsche Bahn and the train drivers' union GDL.
Negotiations began on Monday.
An “entry paper” has reshuffled the cards.
Berlin – It was supposed to be the longest rail strike in history.
After a new GDL rail strike paralyzed train traffic in Germany at the end of January, there was an unexpected update on January 27th.
Both sides have come closer to each other and there is a return to collective bargaining.
Everything now depends on these negotiations - GDL boss Claus Weselsky has already threatened the next industrial dispute.
That's how long the negotiated peace lasts |
Until March 3, 2024 (at least) |
|---|---|
Working hours in shift work required by the GDL |
35 hours per week |
Offer of working hours from DB |
37 hours per week |
No more rail strikes until March 3rd
There is now peace between the railway and the train drivers' union until at least March 3rd.
In confidential discussions, the railway and the GDL found a way to get back into the talks.
“We are finally negotiating again.
Our customers have planning security and our employees have the prospect of wage increases soon,” said DB Human Resources Director Martin Seiler in a company statement.
There was a constructive atmosphere, all topics were discussed and “formed into a roadmap”.
Negotiations after rail strike: GDL boss announces “industrial dispute” © IMAGO / snapshot
However, there are no updates as to the status of the negotiations as the negotiations progress.
The interlocutors excluded the public from details of any progress.
However, if necessary, moderators should lead the discussions.
GDL boss Weselsky calls accommodation “offers for the shop window”
So it turns out: negotiations are possible.
Was the escalation, which ultimately hit rail customers the hardest, even necessary?
In an interview that Claus Weselsky conducted with the
web.de
portal , the GDL boss gave a clear yes to this.
“The railway started the collective bargaining round with the announcement that it didn’t want to talk about certain things at all – such as reducing working hours by three hours, which is extremely important for us,” explained Weselsky.
This clearly showed the GDL that the railway was not prepared to negotiate.
Weselsky called the previous offers – also regarding working hours – “offers for the shop window”.
The railway had previously offered to reduce weekly working hours from 38 hours to 37 hours, without wage compensation.
That has now changed drastically: According to the GDL boss, there is now a so-called introductory paper.
This includes, among other things, discussions about weekly working hours or a collective agreement for vehicle maintenance.
That didn't happen before.
“I call it resistant to advice”
Most recently, at the end of January, the railway offered an inflation compensation bonus of 2,850 euros, as well as a wage increase of 4.8 percent (from August 1, 2024) and a further increase of 5.0 percent (from April 1, 2025).
She also gave the train drivers a choice: either a reduction in weekly working hours to 37 euros with the same salary from January 1, 2026, or a pay increase of 2.7 percent only for train drivers and train crew.
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However, that wasn't enough for the GDL boss.
For him, the high bonus payments that the boardroom at the railway receives are also a reason for a strike.
“As a trade unionist, I am not prepared for our people to do without while their pockets are being filled at the top,” he criticized in the interview.
GDL members are “ready to go into industrial action”
As long as the negotiated peace is ongoing, no new strikes are to be expected.
However, that will change drastically if the talks fail.
From March 3rd, the GDL can strike again - and even indefinitely.
This option has been available to the union since the strike vote in December.
97 percent of the GDL members involved voted for an indefinite strike.
“But I can say: our members are ready to go into industrial action.
Because they want a good railway, one that is in the interests of the customers,” said Weselsky.
Claus Weselsky had not previously drawn this register.
According to the
Augsburger Allgemeine
, if the GDL really wants to carry out an indefinite strike, Deutsche Bahn would involve the labor court to avert it.