Wissing requires an settlement between the railways and the GDL | EUROtoday

Only right now does the practice drivers' union's self-imposed peace obligation nonetheless apply – after the untimely failure of collective bargaining with the railways, there’s a risk of latest strikes. Transport Minister Wissing urges either side to achieve an settlement.

After collective bargaining negotiations between the practice drivers' union GDL and Deutsche Bahn failed once more, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) appealed to either side to discover a compromise. “We won't get anywhere here by insisting on maximum positions. It would no longer be explainable to the people in this country if there were another strike after months of negotiations because those responsible at the negotiating table couldn't find a solution,” he advised Bild am Sonntag.

Wissing sees Security danger

In addition to rail drivers, the financial system would even be affected by new strikes as a result of freight transport would additionally not be capable of run and coal transport for energy crops, for instance, may have issues. Wissing warned: “In addition to the massive disruption to everyday life for large parts of the population, those responsible should remember that there is war in Europe. This wage dispute must not become a security risk. We must find a common solution to this problem.”

After the untimely failure of 4 weeks of negotiations on Thursday, the GDL introduced that it might stick with its self-imposed peace obligation as much as and together with right now. But from subsequent week there’s a danger of lengthy labor disputes once more and thus far-reaching disruptions to long-distance, regional and freight transport.

No settlement regardless of skilled mediators

According to the railway, two arbitrators have already been sitting on the negotiating desk prior to now few weeks. The railway had referred to as within the former Federal Minister of the Interior, Thomas de Maizière. Schleswig-Holstein Prime Minister Daniel Günther mediated on behalf of the GDL. But even the skilled mediators have been unable to dealer a compromise.

During the resumed negotiations, either side agreed to secrecy as much as and together with March third. This silence broke prematurely on Thursday. Despite in depth concessions and regardless of using exterior moderators, the GDL canceled the talks early on, the corporate mentioned. “We were prepared to take steps to reduce working hours that went far beyond our last offer,” mentioned Human Resources Director Martin Seiler.

The GDL didn’t deny this, however accused the railway of not sticking to the agreements relating to exterior communication. “This information was deliberately leaked by DB management in order to then pin it on the union side,” the union mentioned.

The crux of the matter is working hours

According to the railway, the negotiations failed as a result of union's core demand for a discount in weekly working hours for shift staff from 38 to 35 hours with out monetary losses. The railway rejects this, however within the earlier weeks had urged options throughout the framework of present working time alternative fashions.