50-hour warning strike of rail workers in Germany

The German Railway Workers’ Union (EVG) has called on railway workers to stage a 50-hour collective warning strike on May 14 to force employers to improve wages in the face of high inflation.

In an EVG statement, it was claimed that the union called a 50-hour “warning strike” due to the ongoing dispute between the German public railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB) and other railway companies over wages.

It was reported that the strike will last from 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, until midnight on May 16.

‘EMPLOYERS HAD NO OTHER OPTIONS’

EVG Vice President Kristian Loroch stated that the patience of the employees is now exhausted, saying: “We will be on strike for a total of 50 hours. This will significantly increase the pressure on employers. Because the employers left us no choice.”

The call to strike came after an agreement was not reached in the third round of talks with the employers.

In the past two months, EVG members have carried out two rail warning strikes that have massively paralyzed long-distance and regional passenger trains.

WHAT DOES THE UNION WANT?

EVG rejected Deutsche Bahn’s offer of a 10% increase for low- and middle-income workers and an 8% increase for higher-income workers, and a one-time payment of €2,850 to offset the rising cost of living , and added a 12% increase. to 230,000 workers’ salaries, or an increase in the monthly minimum wage of 2,850. He had demanded an additional fee of 650 euros.

Deutsche Bahn Human Resources Manager Martin Seiler criticized the union’s strike decision as “exaggerated” in a statement.

“Because of the strike, millions of passengers will not be able to reach their destination,” Seiler said. saying.
Collective bargaining in the rail sector has been taking place since February 2023, while negotiations on wage increases between the WB and EVG are scheduled to resume at the end of May.

WAVE OF STRIKE SPREADS

A national union warning strike is expected to affect much of public transport on May 14. Delays and cancellations of train services in the country are expected as it will affect all train services operated by Deutsche Bahn in the country, including regional and long-distance passenger trains.

In the warning strike led by the transport sector unions Ver.di and EVG on March 27, most plane, train and bus services came to a standstill, paralyzing transport in the country.

On the other hand, it is worth noting that the wave of strikes has spread in recent months, as workers demand higher wages to compensate for the rising cost of living, coupled with unusually high inflation in Germany. (AA)