In Germany, the railway strike hardens
95% of unionized workers voted for a strike at Deusche Bahn, the German railway company, on August 20, 2021. AFP - INA FASSBENDER
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The social conflict is hardening at Deutsche Bahn, which called Friday August 20 for a new strike.
Freight trains have been affected since the weekend.
The strike widens this Monday morning to passengers.
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It is again chaos that awaits vacationers and employees this Monday morning, with only 25% of main lines and 40% of regional trains provided in the next 48 hours, reports our correspondent in Berlin,
Nathalie Versieux
.
Freight has been partially immobilized since Saturday, August 21.
The origin of the social movement is
the failure of wage negotiations
on the next collective agreement between management and the union, especially with regard to wage increases.
The GDL union of drivers is demanding a 1.8% increase in 2022, 1.4% this year and 600 euros in “Covid premium”.
On the contrary, management wants a wage freeze until 2022 and a more modest increase next year to allow the company to recover from the shock of the health crisis.
“
More than 9,000 employees
” on sick leave
The mobilization is weighing on an already difficult summer tourist season and should further disrupt supply chains, already under strain due to a shortage of materials, especially semiconductors.
The first strike, launched after a 95% vote in favor of mobilization among members of the GDL union, had already blocked many travelers on vacation.
In Berlin, public transport had also been severely disrupted.
"
More than 9,000 employees
", including drivers but also some employees from other sectors, had stopped work, according to GDL.
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See also: Germany: a strike paralyzes train traffic throughout the country
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Germany
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Germany: towards a strike by public sector unions on the issue of wages
Germany: strike paralyzes train traffic across the country