The German Train Drivers’ Union, GDL, has asked Deutsche Bahn (DB) drivers to go on strike from 10 p.m. on Wednesday to 6.00 p.m. on Thursday, amid deadlocked negotiations over pay increases.
The railway company has proposed an 11% wage increase spread over 32 months, but the union is demanding a monthly pay hike of €555, a one-off purchasing power premium of €3,000, and a cut in working hours from 38 to 35.
The announcement of the strike has been met with indignation by DB, which argues that GDL is not honouring agreements and is behaving irresponsibly.
The negotiations were opened last Thursday and postponed a few hours later to this Thursday.
“This strike is completely unnecessary,” said HR Director Martin Seiler.
Moreover, GDL’s call for a ‘warning strike’ extends beyond DB and train drivers. The union is urging all employees of all railway companies and railway network operator DB Netz to down tools.
GDL is the smaller of two German railway unions, representing mainly drivers, as well as some conductors and administrative employees.
