BERLIN — Germany’s third and longest rail strike in a month ended Tuesday morning, with national rail operator Deutsche Bahn saying it would work quickly to restore full operations.
Broadcaster DW reports about 19,700 train drivers had taken part in the walkout that began Sept. 1 and was the second-longest ever for the rail network.
DB made an unsuccessful request for an injunction to stop the strike, saying it was a political action rather than one to improve working conditions [see “Court turns down bid for injunction …,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 3, 2021]
The head of the union on Monday rejected further negotiations if the rail company did not present a “negotiable offer.” Deutsche Bahn’s most recent offer offered to meet the union’s demand for a 3.2% wage increase but would take an additional year to do so, but GDL union chief Claus Weselsky said it also sought to limit the groups that could join his union.
Meanwhile, the managing director of the German Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses called for government intervention in the dispute, saying the rail union was engaging in “blackmailing behavior.”
