FAQ
Reconciliation of rail pay conflicts is nowhere in sight. Currently, Deutsche Bahn sees no point in continuing negotiations. Another strike seems only a matter of time. Passengers have to think about it now.
There is a risk of renewed escalation in the collective bargaining dispute between the railway and transport union (EVG) and Deutsche Bahn. “There will certainly be another warning strike in the short term,” EVG negotiator Cosima Ingenschay said. Preparations are now under way and an announcement will be made in the coming days. Deutsche Bahn had previously declared further talks “pointless” after unions rejected the group’s latest proposal.
When is the strike?
Passengers don’t have to worry at first until and including next weekend. Until then, a warning strike is next to impossible. On the one hand, because the EVG only wants to vote in its institutions, such as wages boards or party executives. “It took some lead time,” Ingenschay said. On the other hand, next Saturday will be the 25th anniversary of the Eschede ICE accident. Kristian Loroch, EVG negotiator, said: “It is important to our colleagues that we do not strike on that day or on Friday and Sunday commemorating the arrival and departure days of the events.” However, A warning strike could conceivably start on Monday.
Will there be an indefinite strike?
According to Ingenschay, the next labor dispute is likely to be another warning strike. Still, she did not rule out a vote on a possible indefinite strike at a later date. “Of course, that’s an option that our organization is discussing,” she said. “But we have no plans for that.” Even with the warning, however, EVG isn’t shying away from taking an unusually long time.
Recently, the strike was supposed to last 50 hours. However, under the mediation of the Frankfurt am Main labor court, the union and Deutsche Bahn settled on one of the sticking points and called off the planned warning strike at short notice.
How are the negotiations going?
Since then, the signs between the negotiating parties have actually gotten closer. Bahn and EVG negotiated for three days in Fulda last week. Both sides described the talks as constructive. The rail company then submitted a new offer and gave the union until Tuesday, inclusive, to respond.
The group made further concessions to EVG on some fronts, such as deadlines. But the core requirement – that EVG asked employees to pay at least a base amount of at least 650 euros per month – was not met by Deutsche Bahn in the offer document.
The workers declined on Tuesday and demanded further negotiations. Bahn issued a rejection on Wednesday: “At the moment it makes no sense, because the electronic ballasts don’t move a millimeter,” criticized Bahn Human Resources Director Martin Seiler on Wednesday evening. “The unions have not backed down and offered no solutions. They are just stubbornly sticking to their original demands.”
Loroch and Ingenschay, on the other hand, insisted they were willing to compromise and declined the group’s introduction. The battle lines were visibly hardened again.
What about GDL?
The German Locomotive Drivers’ Union (GDL) is vying for membership with the railway company’s EVG. They are considered enemies. The much smaller GDL, headed by Claus Weselsky, primarily represents the interests of train drivers on the railways. Wesselski is known for his tough approach to collective bargaining disputes and frequent warning strikes. But there are still months before the GDL’s peace obligations expire in November, and new collective agreements are being negotiated there. However, the GDL wants to make their demands for the upcoming talks next Monday.
EVG will likely want to wait for the announcement of the game before signing their own contract, even if the chief declines. “We wouldn’t be impressed if someone asked differently now,” Ingenschay said. “Our request is what our colleagues need right now.”
Source: Political Department