01/10/2024 05:19 (current 01/10/2024 05:20)
Passengers should expect train cancellations ©APA/dpa
The multi-day strike by German train drivers' union GDL also began on Wednesday morning in passenger transport. The railway announced that several employees have been away from work since 2 am. In freight transport, the strike began on Tuesday night, at 6 pm. The industrial action is expected to last until Friday night at 6pm. Deutsche Bahn's emergency timetable is once again in force, with around 80 percent of the usual service being canceled on long-distance transport.
There are also far-reaching restrictions on regional transportation, although the severity varies from region to region, the railway said. The company had already failed in a final attempt at the Labor Court of the State of Hesse to legally annul the industrial dispute.
The strike coincides with nationwide farmer protests, which could lead to traffic disruptions again on Wednesday. Rallies, rallies and roadblocks at motorway entrances have been announced – this threatens to be a grueling day for commuters in some places.
The railway strike is the third and longest so far in the current collective dispute between the German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL) and Deutsche Bahn. The railway company Transdev is also on strike. Restrictions can still be expected hours after the strike officially ends. Passengers can find out whether their own train is running or not through the railway's usual information channels. Emergency hours are already included there.
Passengers are asked to postpone planned trips between Wednesday and Friday. According to Deutsche Bahn, the rail connection for all tickets during the strike period from January 10th to 12th has been suspended. Customers can still start their journey in the following days.
The railway asked the GDL on Tuesday night to return to the negotiating table. Transport Minister Volker Wissing also called on both sides to negotiate. “We need to find a way in which both sides can get along. We have to talk to each other about this,” the FDP politician told “Bild” (Wednesday). GDL head Claus Weselsky, however, emphasized that it was up to the railway to present an improved offer. “The issue of shortening the strike is not up for debate,” the 64-year-old made clear.
Since the beginning of November, GDL has been fighting with the railways and other railway companies for higher fares. The crux of the current collective bargaining dispute is the union's demand for a reduction in shift workers' weekly working hours from 38 to 35 hours. The railway considers this requirement unfulfilled. She is only willing to talk to the union about expanding existing working time models.
Union boss Weselsky rejects this and points to agreements already agreed with the small railway companies Netinera and Go Ahead. The GDL implemented the necessary reduction in working hours in recent weeks. Pending diplomas must now also be structured according to this model.
In the current tariff dispute, the GDL has already called alert strikes twice, but these lasted a maximum of 24 hours in passenger transport. In December, the union allowed its members to vote on indefinite strikes. About 97 percent of participants were in favor of this. Since then, longer strikes have been possible.