–Union To Call Ballot For Full-Blown Strike To Start In March
BERLIN (MNI) – The German train drivers’ union GDL on Tuesday
staged a two-hour warning strike in passenger transport service to push
through its demands in the current pay round.
The union also announced that it will now call a ballot for an
unlimited full-blown strike to start in March.
In January, the GDL broke off negotiations with state-owned railway
carrier Deutsche Bahn and six private train carriers. The union is
seeking a 5% pay rise and a sector-wide pay contract in order to fight
wage dumping.
Private train operators are currently paying wages which are as
much as 30% lower than those paid by Deutsche Bahn, according to GDL.
The union wants to reach contract which brings the wages in the private
sector in line with those paid by Deutsche Bahn.
Today’s two-hour warning strike action led to severe restrictions
in railway traffic, Deutsche Bahn said. “Even after the warning strike
ends, there will be delays into the evening, as it will take several
hours to get the affected trains back to their correct positions,” the
company said.
The union’s previous full-blown strike in the summer of 2007 caused
major disruptions in passenger and freight transport.
–Berlin bureau: +49-30-22 62 05 80; email: twidder@marketnews.com
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