German Railways

After wave of strikes: negotiations continue

The GDL has already called for industrial action six times in the wage dispute.(Bild: APA/dpa/Martin Schutt)

Further strikes have been averted for the time being in the wage dispute between Deutsche Bahn and the train drivers' union GDL. Both sides are negotiating again, Deutsche Bahn announced on Saturday. Passengers can at least breathe a sigh of relief.

The negotiations are intensive but constructive. The company and the union are confident of reaching an agreement in the coming week. The GDL will refrain from further strikes until then. "An agreement has been reached on many issues," said the railroad company.

No details known
According to the announcement, negotiations are taking place behind closed doors. The parties have agreed not to disclose the further status of negotiations. The most recent sticking point in the negotiations was the dispute over a reduction in working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35 hours per week with the same salary, as demanded by the GDL.

Claus Weselsky is the face of the strike movement.(Bild: AFP)

Deutsche Bahn had previously shown itself willing to reduce working hours to 36 hours in two stages by 2028 without financial losses. However, GDL boss Claus Weselsky did not agree to this.

Every hour counts
The union has already concluded collective agreements with more than two dozen other railroad companies in which the 35-hour week is stipulated. However, these are subject to the proviso that Deutsche Bahn also agrees to such an agreement. Otherwise, the existing contracts would be adjusted accordingly. Weselsky wants to prevent this.

The GDL has already called for industrial action six times in the wage dispute. Most recently, the union opted for a so-called wave strike, which it announced at much shorter notice than the previous strikes. With the resumption of negotiations, the GDL has now committed to refraining from further strikes for the duration of the talks.