German train drivers announce 6-day strike

Union accuses railway operator Deutsche Bahn of failing to come up with acceptable pay raise offer

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) – German train drivers will walk out for six days starting on Jan. 24, their union announced on Monday.

According to a statement by the German Train Drivers’ Union (GDL), the strike of drivers on passenger trains will begin on Wednesday at 02:00 a.m. local time (0100GMT) and end at 06:00 p.m. (0500GMT) next Monday.

The union’s leader Claus Weselsky said the railway operator Deutsche Bahn has failed to come up with an acceptable offer and accused its negotiator Martin Seiler of deceiving the public.

“We can read. We know what is written there. And it is not a basis for negotiations with Deutsche Bahn,” he told reporters in Berlin.

The latest strike will be the fourth and the longest industrial action by the union in the ongoing collective bargaining round with the Deutsche Bahn.

The union is insisting on a salary increase of €555 (about $600) per month, and a one-off inflation compensation premium of up to €3,000 (about $3,250).

The union is also demanding a reduction in working hours for shift workers, from 38 to 35 hours per week, with no reduction in pay.

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