In the wage dispute with the union of German locomotive drivers (GDL), railway boss Richard Lutz has raised serious allegations against the GDL chairman Claus Weselsky.
This wanted to “consciously split” the workforce, said Lutz to the editorial network Germany (Saturday editions).
"The way Mr. Weselsky acts in this situation and, above all, how he speaks, is absolute poison for the sense of togetherness in the railway family." This is how "wounds are left that are difficult to heal".
It is “not okay” if the GDL boss “differentiates between honorable and dishonorable professions and by the latter also means thousands of executives” in the wage conflict at the railway. They would have given up a lot of money during the crisis. Accusing them now of stuffing their pockets is "dishonest and simply wrong". He does not understand why a railroader who has known the company for decades and knows exactly how important cooperation and solidarity is for the functioning of the railroad “deliberately wants to split the workforce”.
After two waves of strikes, Weselsky had promised further labor disputes on Wednesday if the railway should not present an improved tariff offer. The GDL is calling for a wage increase of 3.2 percent as well as a corona bonus of 600 euros and better working conditions. The railway offers 3.2 percent more wages, but wants to implement the levels later and demands a longer term. On Sunday, she had also offered negotiations about a corona premium, but did not give a specific number. The GDL rejected this as a "sham offer".
The wage war is also about the position of the GDL in the group and in competition with the larger railway and transport union (EVG). "If it were only about tariff issues, we would have an agreement quickly," said Lutz. In truth, however, the GDL wants to hunt down members from the larger railway and transport union (EVG) in order to gain more influence itself. "The GDL top has got lost with its expansion strategy," said Lutz.
The railway boss also emphasized that the company will soon be looking more intensively for a buyer for its foreign subsidiary, Arriva, which is making a loss. "Without Corona we would be further with the Arriva sale," said Lutz. "We now hope that we will find our way back into a phase of economic stability next year, and then we will intensify our sales activities again." Arriva operates buses and trains in several countries, including Italy and Spain, where Corona hit the office in particular. Deutsche Bahn has been planning to sell its weak international business for a long time, but it has not yet found anyone interested.