“Shameless train drivers”, “unconstitutional strike”, “ He has just lost his mind” (Editor’s note: the president of the GDL train drivers union), … the announcement of an extraordinary train drivers strike from Wednesday November 5 at 15.00, initially in the freight section and then spreading on Thursday to passenger rail services, until Monday 10 November at 04.00, has drawn mass criticism expressed via the German media. Claus Weselsky, President of GDL defended his position during a press conference on Wednesday November 5. For him, the collective agreement that Deutsche Bahn is proposing constitutes a “direct attack on freedom of union association and the right to strike” and cannot become the subject of mediation proceedings. At the same time preparations are well underway for a bill that re-instates the single union principle (one company, one union, one collective agreement). The draft bill being drawn up by the Minister for Employment, Andrea Nahles is currently being studied by the various ministries concerned and is expected to be approved by government on December 3.
A power struggle between two unions. This latest strike is extraordinary for several reasons. It is the longest rail strike in rail history. After a two and a half day stoppage in mid-October (c.f. article No. 8668), this time train drivers will strike for a total of five days (109 hours) in the freight section and four days (98 hours) in the passenger rail section. Just a calendar co-incidence or a calculation? For the strike comes right at the worst possible time because it falls on the we
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