In the collective bargaining dispute at German Railways, the fronts have hardened. The strike vote on indefinite strikes is ongoing. But warning strikes can occur at any time.
In the collective bargaining dispute at Deutsche Bahn, the German Locomotive Drivers’ Union (GDL) is currently letting its members vote on indefinite strikes – they expect the result of the strike vote to take place shortly before or shortly after Christmas. A spokesman emphasized that further warning strikes cannot be ruled out until then.
The ballot has started. The GDL must send all members the relevant documents and wait for their responses. In order for the GDL to be able to strike indefinitely, 75 percent of the members must vote in favor of it.
The union announced the strike vote last week, shortly after the first warning strike and around a week after the first round of negotiations in the ongoing collective bargaining dispute. With the strike vote, GDL boss Claus Weselsky wants to secure the industrial dispute, above all, legally. Warning strikes that last too long could be banned by the labor courts. There are no guidelines regarding duration or frequency for strikes after a strike vote.
The railway criticized the weekend vote as “irrational”. “The train drivers’ union is only looking for conflict; it is not in a position to cooperate,” the company said. In the conflict, the GDL is demanding, among other things, 555 euros more per month and an inflation compensation bonus. The crux of the conflict, however, is their demand for a reduction in working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35 hours per week with full wage compensation. The railway rejects this. So far it offers eleven percent more money with a term of 32 months as well as the required inflation compensation premium.
Source: Stern
