The GDL train drivers’ trade union announced a 35-hour strike on Monday, saying the measure was unavoidable after the recent breakdown of negotiations on pay and hours.
GDL boss Claus Weselsky said that the strike would begin on Wednesday evening for members driving frieght trains, and for passenger train drivers from the early hours of Thursday morning.
Weselsky also warned that GDL planned to intensify its activity and that from now on it would no longer issue 48 hours’ notice before downing tools.
“We’re starting a so-called strike wave,” he said at a press conference. “With that, the railways will no longer be a reliable means of transportation.”
A 35-hour strike for a 35-hour week
It’s the fifth set of GDL strikes in a negotating process that has lasted months. .
GDL boss Weselsky said that was ultimately responsible for the strike.
One key demand of the GDL that it says Deutsche Bahn will not meet is a reduction of employees’ standard weekly hours from 38 to 35 with unchanged pay.
“This strike will last a total of 35 hours. Thirty-five hours, so that everybody in the country notices what it’s about: namely a 35-hour week,” Weselsky told reporters.
Deutsche Bahn argues not only that this is not economically feasible, but also that it would exacerbate existing staffing and recruitment shortfalls.
Industrial actions hitting several public transport sectors
Labor disputes and strikes are causing problems for almost all kinds of commuters in Germany at present.
GDL’s strike announcement on Monday came just hours after The strikes will take place concurrently.
faced similar disruptions in much of the country.
The , as it warned the country appeared likely to enter a technical recession by the end of the first quarter.
More to follow…
msh/ab (dpa, Reuters)
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