As of: March 18, 2024, 9:16 p.m
By: Bona Hyun
Comments
Press
Split
In the collective bargaining dispute with the railways, the GDL train drivers' union has already called for strikes six times.
© Jens Büttner/dpa
The collective bargaining dispute between the train drivers' union and Deutsche Bahn is being negotiated again.
Which paths could lead to a solution?
Berlin – Passengers can breathe a sigh of relief for now: Deutsche Bahn and the GDL are negotiating again.
This means that further strikes have been averted for the time being.
But will both sides agree?
After all, previous talks have repeatedly failed.
Attempts at mediation were also unsuccessful.
Using a different approach, external mediation could perhaps lead to an agreement after all.
GDL and Deutsche Bahn negotiate – strikes averted for the time being
“Both parties are confident that they will be able to announce a result next week,” Deutsche Bahn and the union recently announced.
“Until then, the GDL will refrain from further strikes,” the same message continued.
“The negotiations are intensive but constructive,” said the railway.
“An agreement was reached on many topics.”
It was agreed not to disclose the further status of the negotiations.
So is an agreement soon in sight?
Solution to the tariff dispute between GDL and Deutsche Bahn – what is needed for an agreement
Business psychologist Winfried Neun emphasized to
Deutschlandfunk (DLF)
that both parties need to work out common interests.
Then solutions could be found.
As with all negotiations, it is important to enlarge the “negotiation cake”.
The employees or the railway management could submit further demands in order to increase the chances of a compromise.
According to Nine, a neutral mediator would have to be involved.
This could bring both people together.
In his eyes, politics should not intervene.
GDL and Deutsche Bahn in a collective bargaining dispute: arbitration has so far been unsuccessful
Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) had also spoken out in favor of arbitration in the past.
Most recently, Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister Daniel Günther and the former Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière (both from the Union) tried to mediate between the two parties.
An agreement proposal from the two moderators apparently came very close to the union's demands.
My news
A four-year-old has a tumor in his head – parents ask for help reading
Up to 30 centimeters: Where it's supposed to snow a lot on the weekend read
“Stunned after all the rumors”: Princess Kate surprises with public appearance
Deaf to noise: Three US nerds declare war on Putin with a cheap drone read
Habeck wants to have gas networks shut down: What that means for consumers read
No longer available: Aldi is taking the entire product category off its shelves
Accordingly, the proposal envisaged reducing the weekly working hours for train crews in shift work and employees in workshops in two stages from the current 38 to 36 hours with full wage compensation.
The first hour should be eliminated on January 1, 2026, the second on January 1, 2028.
GDL announced wave strikes – fronts are hardening
The railway had already invited the GDL to negotiations on Monday on Friday “based on the moderators’ overall proposal”.
However, the union rejected this and described the proposal as unacceptable.
GDL boss Claus Weselsky insisted on the GDL's core demand: a gradual introduction of a 35-hour week with full wage compensation.
The collective bargaining conflict between the GDL and Deutsche Bahn had recently escalated massively.
Among other things, the union announced new wave strikes, which should not be announced 48 hours in advance as was previously the case.
This makes it more difficult for the railway to create an emergency timetable.
According to Weselsky, the aim of the “wave strikes” is to ensure that the railway is “no longer a reliable means of transport”.
(bohy)