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Another train driver's strike: "The traffic lights must legally ensure that strikes in the critical infrastructure can no longer escalate to such an extent"

Photo: Christopher Neundorf / EPA

Rail traffic in Germany will also be at a standstill on Tuesday.

The strike recently announced by the train drivers' union GDL may take place, a court decided on Monday evening.

Representatives from business and politics express their incomprehension about the inability of GDL and Bahn to come to an agreement.

They fear long-term negative effects for Germany as a business location.

“This call for a strike by the GDL is no longer proportionate,” said Philip Harting, chairman of the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry AUMA, to the editorial network Germany (RND).

“It is shocking when the union boss deliberately declares the environmentally friendly railway to be an unreliable means of transport,” said Harting.

"It is no longer understandable why millions of employees, business travelers and trade fair participants have to bear the burden of the conflict between DB and GDL that has been simmering for years."

The recent strikes would have long-term effects.

At least 20 leading national and international trade fairs have already been affected.

»Germany is the number 1 trade fair destination in the world.

“This reputation is currently being tarnished,” complained Harting.

At the same time, he appealed to the railways and the GDL: “Finally come to an agreement!

Find a long-term, sustainable solution to your deep-seated conflict - through discussion at the negotiating table.«

But there currently doesn't seem to be any prospect of a peaceful settlement of the collective bargaining dispute.

Deutsche Bahn has announced that it will appeal against the rejected urgent application.

“DB will now have the verdict reviewed in the second instance before the Hessian State Labor Court,” the company said in a statement.

“In the interest of our customers, we are doing everything we can to stop the wave strike.”

The GDL federal chairman Claus Weselsky, however, sees his course confirmed after the decision: “The court has confirmed it again and again: the GDL strikes are proportionate, permissible, legal and therefore suitable for meeting the legitimate demands of the railway workers through industrial action to pursue further."

Strike endangers Germany as a business location

Meanwhile, there are calls from politicians for the Federal Chancellor to intervene: “Olaf Scholz must now intervene and mediate,” said the deputy parliamentary group leader of the Union, Jens Spahn, to the “Bild” newspaper.

The Chancellor can no longer allow “this strike madness to paralyze our country.

This is increasingly becoming a threat to the location. Spahn also spoke out in favor of tightening the right to strike.

“The traffic light must legally ensure that strikes in the critical infrastructure can no longer escalate to such an extent,” Spahn continued.

Sharp critics of the GDL's new strike also came from the FDP.

»Strikes can be painful – but they must also be proportionate.

However, Mr. Weselsky has been overshooting the mark for some time," says Christoph Meyer, deputy chairman of the liberal parliamentary group in the Bundestag, to the RND.

The situation gives the impression that a legitimate industrial dispute is degenerating into a personal power profile for the GDL boss.

“The GDL must return to the negotiating table immediately,” said Meyer.

“Anything else is irresponsible for the economy and society.”

eru/dpa/AFP