After the short-term warning strike, the GDL is planning a strike vote on longer strikes. The railway is annoyed. The train drivers’ union is “only looking for conflict,” it is said.
Deutsche Bahn has criticized the GDL union’s strike vote on longer strikes as “strange and completely irrational”.
According to a statement, a company spokesman said on Saturday that the negotiations had not even failed. “The train drivers’ union is only looking for conflict; it is not in a position to cooperate.” In the first round of negotiations, the railway submitted an offer for an eleven percent wage increase. “The GDL is canceling the second negotiation date and is now initiating the ballot without further negotiations, even though it has already been agreed upon. Who is supposed to understand that?”
Shortly after the first warning strike in the current wage dispute, the GDL called on its members to vote on indefinite strikes at the railways and other transport companies. With a view to the negotiations, GDL boss Claus Weselsky accused the employers of stalling tactics.
Source: Stern
