Another warning strike, thousands of train cancellations again: the industrial action by the train drivers’ union GDL will have a severe impact on rail traffic on Thursday evening and Friday. Deutsche Bahn advises its customers to avoid or postpone unnecessary trips. The group has created an emergency timetable for long-distance transport; the effects on regional transport are likely to be very different.
The most important information about what is now the fourth railway warning strike this year at a glance:
When exactly will the strike take place?
The official start of the warning strike in passenger transport is this Thursday at 10 p.m. However, passengers should prepare for train cancellations in the hours beforehand. During the previous warning strikes, the railway tried to park the trains where they were needed after the strike. According to the GDL, the industrial action should last until Friday, 10 p.m. The industrial action in freight transport begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday evening.
Which traffic is affected?
The employees of Deutsche Bahn, including the S-Bahn operations in Berlin and Hamburg, as well as the railway companies Transdev, AKN and City-Bahn Chemnitz as well as other companies, have been called on to stop work.
Significant disruptions are therefore to be expected nationwide in both long-distance, regional and freight transport. As with the first GDL warning strike, Deutsche Bahn wants to maintain around 20 percent of long-distance traffic again. However, according to the company, this will not be possible in Bavaria because they are still dealing with the consequences of the heavy snowfall there.
What effects can be expected in other regions?
Experience has shown that many employees are organized by the GDL, particularly in the eastern German federal states and in the southwest. Regional transport will therefore no longer work in many places. “In regional transport, the aim is to run a greatly reduced offer. The extent to which this is possible varies greatly from region to region,” said the DB.
Where can I find out more about my train?
You can usually see whether a long-distance or regional train is running or not via the train app or the train website. According to DB, the emergency timetable should be stored there from Thursday afternoon. A strike hotline has been set up for individual information (08000 99 66 33).
What happens to my ticket?
Any passengers who wish to postpone their journey planned for December 7th or 8th due to the strike can use their ticket at a later date. “The train connection has been cancelled. The ticket is valid for the journey to the original destination, even with a changed route,” it said.
Seat reservations can be canceled free of charge. In addition, as part of a special gesture of goodwill, passengers also have the opportunity to bring their journey forward and travel on the Thursday before the strike begins. If the booked train is canceled, a complete ticket refund is also possible.
Are other railway companies also affected by the warning strike?
Apart from the companies mentioned, which are directly on strike, all other rail companies can theoretically offer their journeys. The GDL mainly represents train drivers and train crews on the railway. Dispatchers who coordinate train traffic nationwide are also called on a warning strike, but are not strongly represented at the GDL. The rail network should therefore generally be passable in large parts of the country. Providers such as FlixTrain reported higher demand for tickets on Thursday.
Why is the GDL on strike?
In the current collective bargaining round, the union primarily wants to fight for a reduction in weekly working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35 hours. The railway rejects this rigorously. GDL boss Claus Weselsky therefore declared the negotiations to have failed and criticized the fact that no compromises could be found with the federally owned company.
In addition to the reduction in working hours, the union is demanding 555 euros more per month and an inflation compensation bonus. The railway had offered eleven percent higher fees for a term of 32 months as well as the inflation compensation bonus.
Are there a risk of warning strikes before and after Christmas?
No. The GDL has now clearly stated that this week’s industrial action will be the last up to and including January 7, 2024.
After that, however, it is completely unclear how the collective bargaining dispute will continue. The union wants to announce the result of a strike vote among members on December 19th. If more than 75 percent of those voting vote for indefinite strikes, the union is likely to call for significantly longer industrial action.
However, there is currently no progress in sight at the negotiating table. The fronts between the GDL and the railways have hardened and a way out has not yet been identified. So things could remain unsettled on the rails in January.
