Germans may not yet know what dawns on them in the first days of the new year after the revues and fireworks, but what they do know for sure is that from January 8, the German Railways (Deutsche Bahn) is coming to a standstill as it descends into strike action again. the GDL train drivers’ union.

In a country where trains are an integral part of everyday working life, but also a favorite means of travel for tourist reasons, it is another blow to those who use them. A driving force behind the strikes is the head of the union, Klaus Wezelski, a tough nut to crack in negotiations with the German Railways employer over the sector’s new collective agreements.

“No more than five consecutive days”

Of course, there is a limit to everything. In a recent interview, Vezelski announces that this time the strike actions will not last 24 hours, as before, but not more than 5 consecutive days – which would be unprecedented, if it really happened – but in any case it will be of a specific duration . It should be mentioned here that last Tuesday afternoon, the union announced the result of the vote of its members, who were 97% in favor of strike action, if necessary and of long duration, to enforce the demands of the sector.

In a Rheinische Post paper, Vezelski clarified that the train drivers’ union does not intend to strike for more than five days. “Declaring an indefinite strike would not be right for the customers (of the Railways) and the financial consequences”. He also confirmed what he had previously promised, that there would be no strike action until January 7, and addressing his negotiating partner, Deutsche Bahn, the head of the GDL asked Transport Minister Volker Vissing to either “fire this railway board ” or at least to “hold them accountable”.

Commenting on the reaction of the management of the state group to the result of the vote of the union members, Vezelsky called it outrageous. “Vissing should cancel the group’s board bonuses and finally set measurable targets, only then will we be able to talk about bonuses again.” But what exactly are bonuses? According to investigations by Northwestern Radio NDR, West German Radio WDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung the board members of Deutsche Bahn are to receive a bonus of 5 million euros, despite the failure to meet the punctuality target on the routes, but for achieving the target “Women in management and employee satisfaction”.

“Performance” bonuses for the board?

The news was taken as an insult not only more widely by railway workers, who have been struggling for months for better wages and working conditions, but also by the passengers themselves. “It’s a rip-off,” as reported by the Consumer Advice Centre.

Transport with German Railways has become a nerve-wracking affair in recent years due to long delays, sudden cancellations and often sardine-like transport conditions. It is therefore not surprising that the satisfaction of railway passengers is again below average this year. It failed in the goal they had set themselves, that is to say that the routes were on time in 77% of the cases. “And yet, board members can still look forward to rich bonuses,” NDR, WDR and SZ reported on December 11. The reason they claimed for the bonuses? The company had exceeded its goals in other areas. To whom; To the goal “Women in management and employee satisfaction”.

What does the train drivers’ union GDL ask for? In addition to the reduction in weekly working hours, the GDL demands an increase in wages of at least €555 and an inflation allowance of €3,000 over a one-year period. A key demand is also to reduce weekly working hours for shift workers, from 38 to 35 hours with full wage compensation. Deutsche Bahn’s offer is wage increases of 11% and an inflation allowance of up to 2,850 euros over a 32-month period. The company argued that the request to reduce working hours is unfeasible due to a lack of staff. The next drama will be played next year on train platforms, with passengers waiting to see a train stop…