The strike at Deutsche Bahn ends ahead of schedule. Originally, the trains were supposed to be stopped until Monday night. In cargo transport, the dispute ends on Sunday night.
The train drivers' union GDL ends the strike at Deutsche Bahn early. According to information from the German Press Agency, there will be a strike in passenger transport until 2:00 on Monday night. The industrial action was originally supposed to last six days and only end on Monday night. This means passengers should be able to prepare for normal operations again on Monday.
The freight transport strike ends on Sunday night, at 6 pm. Several media outlets also reported the early end of the strike on Saturday.
There will be no more strikes for now. According to the information, the railway and the GDL agreed to a peace obligation until March 3. Rates will be negotiated behind closed doors from February 5th. According to information, the objective is to reach a collective agreement by the beginning of March. It was already known on Saturday morning that the two sides were again in negotiations.
The strike was the fourth since the collective bargaining dispute began. It started on Tuesday night for freight traffic and on Wednesday morning for passenger traffic. In recent days, the railroad has offered about 20 percent of its usual long-distance service with emergency hours. In regional transport, the effects of the strike, as in previous GDL labor disputes, varied depending on the region.
I hope for a quick solution
With the agreement now reached, there is hope for a quick resolution to the conflict that has escalated for the first time in weeks. Collective bargaining between DB and GDL began in early November. After the first round, GDL chief Weselsky called a warning strike; after the second round, he declared that negotiations had failed and initiated a strike vote. Since then, signs have pointed to an escalation rather than a negotiation.
The focus of the debate recently has been the weekly working hours of shift workers: the GDL calls for a reduction from 38 to 35 hours at the same wages. The railroad has so far rejected this demand.
Last week, the group presented an offer that includes 4.8% more money for employees from August and an additional 5% from April 2025. According to this offer from DB, from January 2025, 2026, train drivers and attendants will then be able to decide between an additional 2.7% pay rise or one hour less work per week. GDL was particularly uncomfortable with this offer due to an additional restriction: DB made the option available on January 1, 2026, with the condition that there would be sufficient train drivers and attendants employed by the group. (APA/DPA)