A labor union representing prepare drivers at Germany’s nationwide rail operator Deutsche Bahn mentioned Tuesday that it is calling its members out on a 20-hour strike later this week as a bitter spherical of pay negotiations with the nation’s important rail operator will get underway.
The German prepare drivers’ union (GDL) mentioned it’s calling on its members to stage a strike, starting at 10:00 p.m. (2100 GMT) on Wednesday and lasting till 6:00 p.m. on Thursday.
The union and Deutsche Bahn started negotiating a brand new collective settlement over pay and situations final week.
Union chief Claus Weselsky had indicated in quite a few interviews earlier than the talks started that some form of industrial motion would in all probability happen in the course of the negotiation interval.
Deutsche Bahn proposed to the union an 11% pay improve beneath a collective settlement lasting for a time period of 32 months.
The union is demanding a rise of 555 euros ($602) monthly for workers in addition to an inflation compensation bonus of as much as 3,000 euros.
The union additionally desires a discount in working hours for shift employees from the present 38 hours per week to 35 hours per week with full pay compensation.
In the occasion of a strike, Deutsche Bahn mentioned it could use the longest attainable trains. This would come with 376-metre “XXL” high-speed ICE trains with 918 seats. It could be used on notably crowded connections between main German cities.
Ahead of Tuesday’s announcement by GDL, the rail operator mentioned long-distance service could be lower than 20% of the common providing ought to the drivers go on strike.
Some cross-border connections may very well be operated by international prepare drivers.
The railway has referred to as on its clients to postpone journeys.
“The GDL strike will cause massive disruptions to long-distance, regional and (commuter) services throughout Germany from November 15 in the evening up to and including Nov. 16,” the corporate wrote Tuesday night on X, previously often called Twitter.
Source: www.dailysabah.com