Enlarge image

There is no train going anywhere: local train in Frankfurt am Main

Photo:

Boris Roessler/dpa

At the start of the GDL's six-day strike at Deutsche Bahn, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) sharply criticized the behavior of the train drivers' union.

“The fact that a strike has now been called for the fourth time in the ongoing conflict without even talking to each other is unacceptable,” Wissing told the “Bild” newspaper (Wednesday edition).

It looks more and more like “the conflict is completely deadlocked,” said the FDP politician.

"That's why a moderator should be brought in." Wissing called on the collective bargaining parties to "find solutions at the negotiating table or initiate arbitration."

The strike is not only an enormous burden on the national economy, but also nerve-wracking for all travelers and commuters.

The strike by train drivers in passenger transport began nationwide early Wednesday morning.

The railway's freight traffic has also been on strike since Tuesday evening.

The strike is scheduled to end on Monday at 6 p.m.

Railway offers a short timetable

Passengers will have to come to terms with significant restrictions on long-distance and regional transport in the next few days.

As with the previous strikes, the railway has set up a shortened timetable with a greatly reduced offer.

Customers can find out which trains are running via the railway website or their app.

The group has also set up a free information number that can be used to provide individual information about the timetable.

Anyone who has previously purchased a ticket for the strike period can postpone their journey to a later date.

The railway has canceled the train connections.

Seat reservations can be canceled free of charge.

It is the union's fourth and longest strike to date.

For the first time in the ongoing collective bargaining dispute, it also covers a complete weekend.

The situation in the collective bargaining dispute is messed up.

There have been no negotiations between the GDL and the railway since the end of November.

The union under its boss Claus Weselsky also saw no basis for discussion in the railway's most recent offer.

In December, the GDL had its members vote on indefinite strikes.

Around 97 percent of the participating employees were in favor of this.

Since then, strikes lasting several days have been possible.

In addition to financial demands, the collective bargaining dispute primarily revolves around the issue of reducing weekly working hours for shift workers.

The GDL wants to reduce this from 38 to 35 hours while keeping the salary the same.

Among other things, the railway has offered an option model that provides for a one-hour reduction without financial losses.

Anyone who decides against this will instead receive 2.7 percent more money.

Union boss Claus Weselsky sees the offer as no basis for further negotiations.

The collective bargaining conflict is complicated by the fact that the GDL wants to expand its influence in the company and also conclude collective agreements for employees in the infrastructure division.

There are already collective agreements there from the larger railway and transport union (EVG), with which the GDL competes.

The railway has so far rejected this request.

phw/AFP/dpa