The Saxon with the provocative sayings is quitting. The train drivers’ union GDL has a new chairman. The railway’s human resources director also attended Weselsky’s departure.
Long-time union leader Claus Weselsky is no longer the national chairman of the German Train Drivers’ Union (GDL). His successor Mario Reiß was elected to head the union by delegates at the organization’s general assembly in Dresden on Tuesday. Reiß opened the public part of the general assembly, the union’s highest body, on Wednesday, at which Weselsky was to say goodbye to the members.
The 65-year-old is retiring. For 16 years, Weselsky led the union in numerous wage negotiations with Deutsche Bahn (DB), which included many industrial disputes and strikes on the railways. He was particularly known for his pithy remarks and personal attacks on DB management.
Nevertheless, Martin Seiler, head of human resources at Deutsche Bahn, also attended Weselsky’s departure. In his opening speech, the new chairman, Reiß, addressed the deep divide that exists between Deutsche Bahn and the union. “We are excited to see whether you, we are excited to see whether we, can find a fork in the road that will lead us back to a sensible and truly worthwhile social partnership,” Reiß said to the Deutsche Bahn manager.
Source: Stern
