Rail passengers across Germany are bracing themselves for major disruption after the GDL (Gewerkschaft Deutscher Lokomotivführer) declared a nationwide rail strike from 10pm on Thursday 7 December to 10pm on Friday 8 December. This sudden call for strike action is expected to seriously disrupt the entire German railway system, affecting both passenger and freight transport.
The GDL represents around 40,000 railway workers at Deutsche Bahn and many of its competitors. The dbb beamtenbund und tarifunion, with more than 40 member unions and 16 regional associations, represents more than 1.3 million members in the public and private service sectors, among others. The GDL and its affiliated umbrella organization dbb are demanding attractive and competitive working conditions, in particular a reduction in working hours for shift workers to a 35hour, five-day working week
"The same applies to the railways as to the whole of the public sector: if you want to attract and keep qualified specialists, you have to offer attractive and competitive working conditions," said dbb national chairman Ulrich Silberbach. "By refusing to even negotiate on the justified demands of the GDL, the railway management is above all damaging its own company, demotivating its employees and inconveniencing passengers”.
In response to the strike, DB plans to introduce an emergency timetable for long-distance services, significantly reducing the number of journeys. The aim is to use longer trains with more seats to accommodate as many passengers as possible.
There will also be a significant reduction in regional services, although the extent of the reduction will vary from region to region. In Bavaria in particular, the ongoing snow clearance operations following the historic snowfall over the weekend will add to the challenges.
