German passenger train drivers will go on strike from Wednesday night until next Monday, the GDL train drivers’ union announced on Monday. The union is not satisfied with the offer made by German state railway company Deutsche Bahn on Friday.
Additionally, freight train drivers will begin a strike as early as Tuesday evening.
“With its third, supposedly improved offer, Deutsche Bahn AG has once again demonstrated that it follows its previous policy of denial and confrontation: It has no desire to reach a compromise,” said Claus Weselsky, director of the GDL.
For its part, Deutsche Bahn condemned the train drivers’ decision.
“Deutsche Bahn focuses on compromises, while GDL escalates the conflict. Anyone who wants to sit at the negotiating table when a new 13% offer is made [palgatõusuks] and maintaining the same salary for a 37-hour working week is completely irresponsible,” a Deutsche Bahn spokesperson said on Monday.
Deutsche Bahn and GDL have been discussing a new collective agreement since November. The union’s goal is to reduce the work week from 38 to 35 working hours without reducing wages.
Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s largest rail company, has offered more flexibility in working hours but refuses to offer a shorter working week for the same pay.
2024-01-22 08:39:00
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