As of: March 1, 2024, 11:14 a.m
By: Max Schäfer
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The negotiations between Deutsche Bahn and GDL have failed and the tone in the collective bargaining dispute is rough.
When should customers expect further strikes?
Frankfurt - Standing trains, deserted station halls, emergency timetable: The German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL) broke off collective bargaining with Deutsche Bahn on Thursday, February 29th.
Further strikes are the possible consequence.
The peace obligation agreed at the end of January still applies until Sunday, March 3rd.
The GDL has not yet commented on the negotiations with the railway, but wants to stick to the agreement with the railway.
This includes a strike break until Sunday.
On Monday, March 4th, at 11 a.m., the union wants to inform about its next steps at a press conference.
When will the next rail strikes threaten in the collective bargaining dispute between DB and GDL?
Customers will have to prepare for further strikes next week that will affect rail transport across the country.
This would again affect trains in DB's long-distance, local and freight transport.
An exact date could be announced at the press conference on Monday.
The tariff conflict between the railways and the GDL is heating up again.
Both parties had previously negotiated under the leadership of moderators Daniel Günther and Thomas de Maizière (both CDU).
Initially no information leaked out – until Thursday.
What are the causes of the GDL strike next week?
Then, according to Deutsche Bahn, the GDL broke off the negotiations.
The GDL accuses the DB of not having adhered to the agreed confidentiality.
The union said
information was “targeted by DB management” to the
Bild newspaper.
The failure should be blamed on the union side.
However, there is no reason for the GDL to “not comply” with its contractual obligations.
Canceled trains and empty station halls could be the possible consequence of the failed negotiations between GDL and Deutsche Bahn.
(Archive photo) © Arnulf Hettrich/Imago
However, the railway accuses the GDL of being unwilling to compromise.
“We were prepared to take steps to reduce working hours that went far beyond our last offer,” said DB Human Resources Director Martin Seiler.
“It is unbelievable that the train drivers’ union is still standing up from the table and thus threatening further strikes for customers.”
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Working hours as a point of contention: Collective bargaining does not bring about a compromise between the railways and GDL
The biggest strike point between the railway company and GDL is the reduction in working hours from 38 to 35 hours per week demanded by the union.
“We have reached the absolute limit of what is possible financially and in terms of personnel,” said Bahn HR Director Seiler.
Demographics and a shortage of skilled workers didn't allow for anything more.
“Otherwise trains will stop.” The railway now wants to examine its next steps.
The GDL has not yet commented on the content of the collective negotiations that have now failed.
“If Deutsche Bahn, in its usual manner, punctures any message in the picture, then this is no reason for the GDL not to comply with its contractual obligations,” it says in a press release.
However, GDL boss Claus Weselsky had criticized the railway's proposals.
In the ongoing dispute over the new collective agreement, there have been four GDL strikes so far: two warning strikes and two longer strikes.
The negotiations began at the beginning of November 2023.
(ms with dpa)