GDL rail strike: Weselsky sees no basis for new collective bargaining

The train drivers' union GDL sees no basis for new negotiations in the collective bargaining conflict with Deutsche Bahn.

The union is ready for further talks if a negotiable offer comes from the train, said GDL boss Claus Weselsky on Monday in the ZDF “Morgenmagazin”.

The so-called offer of the railway is only a simulated improvement.

The railway wants to limit the GDL to train drivers and train attendants and refuse them to conclude collective agreements for the workshop and administration.

Here fundamental rights would be affected.

It should be permanently prevented that the GDL has the majority in the company.

“And we are defending ourselves against this,” said Weselsky: “I don't have to agree on 3.2 percent if the railway permanently restricts us to train drivers, train attendants, on-board restaurateurs and thus prevents us from actually being able to reach the majority in the respective company . “This is not about supremacy.

DGB criticism rejected

Weselsky rejected criticism from DGB boss Reiner Hoffmann and sees the GDL unjustifiably in the pillory. Hoffmann had accused the GDL of particular interests and attempts at profiling the larger rail union EVG. Weselsky said he would like a chairman of an umbrella organization of trade unions to keep an eye on cause and effect. The DGB boss was the one who initiated the collective bargaining law. And now the GDL is being accused of recruiting more members. “Well, I don't know exactly what the law was created for.” This says very clearly: If you have more members in your company, your collective agreements will be retained in the future.

Even at the start of the new week, rail customers have to be prepared for numerous delays and train cancellations. The GDL union continues its strike at Deutsche Bahn on Monday. According to its own information, Deutsche Bahn assumes that it will be able to maintain its long-distance services with around 30 percent of the train connections and in regional traffic with an average of around 40 percent. "The replacement schedule continues to apply, as it did on the weekend," said a DB spokesman on Monday morning. The strike is also continuing in freight transport.

The GDL is "very satisfied" with the previous strike at Deutsche Bahn. The third round of strikes in the ongoing collective bargaining dispute is expected to last until early Tuesday morning (2:00 a.m.). "It is clear to us that this is unpleasant for customers," said Weselsky. The competitors of the Deutsche Bahn keep the traffic according to information completely upright. These are also the proof that employers grant their employees the "proper wage increases".