The news is likely to have relieved many rail travelers: the train drivers’ union GDL and Deutsche Bahn are talking to each other again, and not only that: an agreement is already imminent in the new week. GDL boss Claus Weselsky’s union wants to avoid strikes until then. After six strikes, the labor dispute that has been simmering for months could be pacified before Easter.
“Both parties are confident that they will be able to announce a result next week,” the company and the union said on Saturday. “Until then, the GDL will refrain from further strikes.” An agreement has already been reached on many topics.
Strike-free Easter period possible
The new style of the collective bargaining parties can give rail drivers hope: instead of publicly setting conditions before the negotiations, this time even their resumption remained a secret. Negotiations will take place “in a small circle and behind closed doors,” said the message, which was sent out in the same way by both sides. It was agreed not to disclose the status of the negotiations.
The news is also relevant because in some federal states the Easter holidays begin on Monday. Against this background, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing had previously called on air transport and rail unions to observe an Easter peace agreement. “It is important that a solution is found now,” said the FDP politician on Saturday on the sidelines of the Rhineland-Palatinate state party conference. The collective bargaining conflicts would have to be resolved within the framework of collective bargaining autonomy.
The Pro Bahn passenger association also received approval. “The foreseeable agreement is in any case in the interests of the passengers, who would have had less and less understanding of further strike measures,” said chairman Detlef Neuß of the German Press Agency. Especially during the travel-intensive Easter period, strikes would be a setback for the mobility transition and the railway as a means of transport. “Passengers already have enough problems with the normal delays,” said Neuß.
Even mediation brought no result
The German Locomotive Drivers’ Union (GDL) and Deutsche Bahn last met for several weeks in February to find a solution to the collective bargaining dispute. The former Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière and Schleswig-Holstein’s Prime Minister Daniel Günther (both CDU) mediated this phase. It initially remained unclear whether the two would appear as moderators again in this round of negotiations.
The GDL in particular had previously rejected formal arbitration. In such a case, both sides would first reach an arbitration agreement. This often means that an arbitrator’s decision is binding for both sides. This did not apply to the compromise proposal that de Maizière and Günther made in the most recent round of negotiations. The union therefore did not accept it.
Working hours as a bone of contention
The crux of the negotiations was recently a demand from the GDL to reduce the working hours of shift workers from 38 to 35 hours per week, while maintaining the same salary. The railway had previously shown itself ready to reduce working hours to 36 hours in two steps by 2028 without financial losses. But GDL boss Weselsky refused.
The union has already concluded collective agreements with more than two dozen other railway companies that stipulate the 35-hour week. However, these are subject to the condition that the federally owned railway company also agrees to such a deal. Otherwise, the existing contracts would be adjusted accordingly. Weselsky wants to prevent that.
The GDL has already called for industrial action six times in the current collective bargaining dispute with Deutsche Bahn. Most recently, the union resorted to a so-called wave strike, which it announced at much shorter notice than previous strikes.
FDP general secretary wants to reform strike laws
The FDP again called for a reform of the right to strike. Particularly when it comes to critical infrastructure, it is important “that proportionality is maintained and excessive strike greed, as we have experienced, is prevented in the future,” said General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai to “Bild am Sonntag”. These included instruments such as mandatory arbitration, clear strike deadlines and the possibility of replacing negotiators. The federal government recently rejected such demands.
Message from Deutsche Bahn
