German train drivers to go on six-day strike
German train drivers are set to stage a six-day strike after their union rejected state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn’s latest wage offer.
The GDL union on Monday announced a fourth round of strikes in the continuing wage dispute from 2am local time on Wednesday until 6pm the following Monday, which would be the longest strike in Deutsche Bahn’s history.
Cargo train drivers were called to begin their strike a day earlier, on Tuesday at 6pm.
The longest strike at Deutsche Bahn to date lasted five days in 2015.
The latest strike could add up to €1bn in damage, taking into consideration that other transport routes have also been disrupted by the situation in the Red Sea, Michael Groemling, from the IW Cologne economic institute, said.
“Something is brewing, ” said Groemling. The German economy is already in recession, and “this is now threatening to worsen,” Groemling said.
Commerzbank chief economist Joerg Kraemer said the strike could cost the transport sector €30m a day but far more damage would be done if factories have to stop production due to supply problems. In addition, the strike is adding to the already tarnished image of Germany as a business location, he said.
Deutsche Bahn had submitted a new wage offer to the GDL on Friday which also responded to the union’s core demand of a reduction in working hours with full wage compensation. However, the GDL rejected it.
“With the third and supposedly improved offer, Deutsche Bahn has once again shown that it is pursuing its previous course of refusal and confrontation undeterred — with no trace of any intention to reach an agreement,” GDL boss Claus Weselsky said.
WORSENING
A Deutsche Bahn spokesperson criticised the GDL for worsening the conflict instead of seeking compromise.
“Anyone who does not even come to the negotiating table with a new offer of up to 13% [wage increase] and the possibility of a 37-hour week with the same salary is acting absolutely irresponsibly,” the spokesperson said.
Deutsche Bahn and the GDL have been in dispute over a collective wage agreement since the beginning of November, with the union seeking a reduced working week for its shift workers, from 38 to 35 hours, on current wages.