Operations start again: rail traffic normalizes after the end of the strike

The strike at Deutsche Bahn has ended, train traffic is normalizing.

The strike of the Union of German Locomotive Drivers (GDL) came to an end as scheduled at 2 a.m. on Friday morning.

About two hours later, a railway spokesman confirmed that traffic had largely started normally.

However, there could still be restrictions in individual cases, he said.

"We ask our passengers to find out more in the digital information media of Deutsche Bahn before starting their journey."

The members of the train drivers' union had stopped working in passenger transport on Wednesday night to put pressure on higher pay and better working conditions.

They had been abandoning freight trains since Tuesday evening.

There were numerous train cancellations and delays.

According to the union, the infrastructure was also affected.

For the first time there was a strike in six interlocking companies, as well as in parts of the workshops and the administration.

More strikes are possible, but it won't happen this weekend.

"Deutsche Bahn shown the red card"

The GDL wants to take stock of its strike on Friday.

The union announced that the solidarity of the members was huge across all professional groups.

“They all showed Deutsche Bahn the red card.” The Bahn described the strikes as excessive.

At the negotiating table, both sides are already "relatively close to each other," said a spokesman.

Bahn and GDL are fighting for a wage increase of 3.2 percent in the collective bargaining round.

What is disputed, however, is when the increase will take effect and how long the new collective agreement should apply.

Company pensions are also a contentious issue.

Deutsche Bahn wants to keep the costs of the collective bargaining agreement low because it incurred high losses in the Corona crisis.

In addition, the federal government, as the owner, has also demanded savings in the group in return for billions in aid.

There has been a collective bargaining agreement with the larger railway and transport union for almost a year. At the beginning of 2022, employees will receive 1.5 percent more money. Terminations for operational reasons are excluded. However, the GDL does not want to accept a zero round this year and is also demanding a corona premium of 600 euros. Union chief Claus Weselsky threatens further strikes if the railway does not present an improved offer.