The train drivers’ union GDL is ending its strike at Deutsche Bahn early. According to information from the DPA news agency, there will only be a strike in passenger transport until Monday morning at 2 a.m. instead of until Monday evening. Reason for the termination: Both sides had found a way to re-enter collective bargaining in confidential discussions. These should last five weeks, as long as there are no strikes.
According to the information, the peace obligation applies until March 3rd. However, it could be extended, it was said from the negotiating circles. “We are finally negotiating again. Our customers have planning security and our employees have the prospect of wage increases soon,” said DB Human Resources Director Martin Seiler, according to his own press release.
The strike in DB passenger and freight transport was actually supposed to last until Monday at 6 p.m. The early end now makes it possible for trains to run according to the regular schedule again on Monday.
The German Locomotive Drivers’ Union (GDL) has been on strike on freight traffic since Tuesday evening and on passenger traffic at Deutsche Bahn since Wednesday morning – it is the fourth strike since the collective bargaining round began at the beginning of November. A sticking point is the union’s demand for weekly working hours to be reduced from 38 to 35 hours from 2028 with full wage compensation.
The railway initially rejected this outright, but later offered an option model. This would allow train drivers to work down to 37 hours per week, but in return they would have to forego an additional salary increase offered. Overall, the company offers up to 13 percent more wages.
