Engine drivers' strike continues: State labor court rejects an injunction

Railway customers will have to be prepared for disabilities caused by the train drivers' strike over the next few days.

On Friday, Deutsche Bahn also failed in its second attempt to stop the labor dispute by legal means.

The Hessian State Labor Court in Frankfurt rejected a corresponding preliminary injunction against the Union of German Locomotive Drivers (GDL) in the second instance.

The parties argued in particular about a clause with which the GDL wants to enforce its collective agreements for members who work in companies in which the competing union EVG is actually in the majority.

In the opinion of the court, this clause should be empty, but it does not make the entire strike call ineffective.

The chamber also checked whether the train drivers are holding an illegal support strike for the other railway workers.

"A fair labor dispute"

After the court decision, the GDL announced that it would continue the strike.

That said the chairman Claus Weselsky on Friday.

"We don't let anyone dictate when and how long a labor dispute goes on." The strike was legal, permissible and proportionate, said Weselsky in the regional labor court in Frankfurt.

"We are very relieved that we were right in a fair labor dispute," said Weselsky. He is proud that the members are persevering. The goals of the GDL are legitimate, said Weselsky. This also applies to the requirement to conclude collective agreements not only for train drivers and train attendants, but also for employees in signal boxes, workshops and administration.

The day before, the labor court in Frankfurt am Main had ruled that the union's strike targets were legitimate.

"In the interests of our customers, we have done everything we can to get the GDL to abandon its blockade of collective bargaining," said Bahn Personnel Director Martin Seiler.

The Frankfurt Labor Court had also urgently called for an amicable settlement.

"But this appeal by the judge also fell through with the GDL top." The railway does not question the right to strike as a fundamental right, emphasized Seiler.

But we are concerned that this round of collective bargaining will do a disservice to collective bargaining in Germany.

Instead of negotiating, the GDL tries to enforce a tariff dictate. "

"We have to try this"

The railway had justified the repeated visit to the court with the serious effects of the strike.

“No matter how it ends today, we have to try,” said Bahn spokesman Achim Stauß in the ARD “Morgenmagazin”.

"Because this strike is unspeakable, it is completely exaggerated - also in its length."

The union has been on strike for the third time in a few weeks at Deutsche Bahn since Wednesday.

Weselsky said the GDL was ready to negotiate and compromise.

The federal government, as the owner of the railway, must bring the management to their senses.

For the time being, the strike continues: In regional and S-Bahn traffic, around 40 percent of the trains are on the move, the group announced on Friday morning.

Due to the different strike participation, the offer fluctuates regionally: There could be stronger restrictions - similar to the previous strikes - in the eastern federal states and some metropolitan regions.

For the weekend, Deutsche Bahn is aiming to slightly expand the timetable for long-distance traffic - from 25 to 30 percent.

Long-distance trains between Rostock, Berlin and Dresden should also be on the way on Saturday and Sunday.

One thing is certain: travelers must expect restrictions and full trains.

Customers are therefore well advised to postpone trips.

The GDL rejected an improved offer from the group management on Wednesday, refused negotiations and continued their third round of strikes.

The union wants all of the demands made in May to be met.

Weselsky rejected the rail tariff offer because it should not apply to all GDL members.

According to his presentation, the state-owned company demands that the scope of a new collective agreement be limited to drivers, as before.

This threatens to split the union with first and second class members.

Rail passenger traffic has been on strike nationwide since Thursday morning.

The strike began on Wednesday afternoon in freight traffic and is expected to end on Tuesday morning after five days.