Branch unions like the train drivers have great power. A law should encourage them to cooperate with the other unions. But the opposite is happening with Deutsche Bahn.
In view of possible further strikes at Deutsche Bahn, the Pro Bahn passenger association is calling for changes to the Unified Tariff Act.
“We do need a regulation on how to deal with two different unions. But there must be no competition between the unions, ”said the honorary chairman of the association, Karl-Peter Naumann, of the German press agency. The union of German locomotive drivers (GDL) has been trying for months to win new members, including from the larger railway and transport union (EVG). This heats up the collective bargaining conflict with the railways for more money and better working conditions.
The background to this is the Unified Collective Bargaining Act. It stipulates that in individual companies only the collective bargaining agreement of the union, which represents most of the members there, will apply. This is actually intended to provide an incentive for trade unions to coordinate their collective bargaining policy, as the Federal Ministry of Labor affirmed.
Naumann thinks that is possible. “EVG and GDL members also work well together in the works council,” he said. He suggested that the employees also have a say in appointing the collective bargaining committees. These lead the collective bargaining, but are so far bodies of the union.
“Politicians have to act again here,” demanded Naumann. However, the ministry recently made it clear that the Unified Collective Bargaining Act was not designed to prevent strikes.
Last week, the GDL had hit passenger traffic for two days, and freight traffic for a little longer. The railway responded with replacement timetables. “That was pretty neat,” commented Naumann on the efforts of the railway. The replacement timetables were particularly reliable in long-distance traffic. For a long time, however, each rail company has been calling for fixed strike schedules.
Another strike has not yet been announced. A protest rally in front of the Deutsche Bahn headquarters in Berlin will initially build up further pressure this Tuesday (1.30 p.m.). After that, it will only be a “very short time” before the strike comes again, the German Locomotive Drivers Union (GDL) announced last week.
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
