German train drivers call for renewed multi-day strike

Germany's GDL train drivers' union is again calling for a strike lasting several days in the wage dispute with state-owned Deutsche Bahn and other railway companies, the union announced on Sunday evening.

In passenger transport, the strike is to begin overnight in the early hours of Wednesday and last until Friday evening. In freight transport, GDL members plan to put down work on Tuesday evening.

Deutsche Bahn criticized the action and announced that it would take legal action.

The strike marks the return of the GDL after the "Christmas truce." The union had ruled out industrial action over the Christmas period and the turn of the year up to and including Sunday.

Now the union plans the third and longest strike in the ongoing dispute. "The DB Group has not used the Christmas truce to counteract industrial action with a negotiable offer," GDL said.

Since the start of wage negotiations at the beginning of November, the GDL has already brought passenger trains to a standstill twice with 20-hour and 24-hour strikes.

The railway announced that it would take legal action against the planned action. A corresponding urgent application for a temporary injunction will be submitted to the Frankfurt Labour Court.

"This strike is not only completely unnecessary, but we also consider it to be legally inadmissible," said Martin Seiler, head of human resources, according to the press release.

Seiler said that only two days ago, Deutsche Bahn had presented an extended offer in which the company had taken a major step towards the union's core demand regarding working hours.

"DB is prepared to compromise. It is now time to negotiate again. The GDL leadership has overreached, it must finally come to its senses."

Among the sticking points in the wage dispute is the union's demand for a reduction in working hours.

GDL boss Claus Weselsky has called for a cut in the working week for shift workers to 35 hours from currently 38, but at full pay.

The company already operates optional different working-hour models, and the current offer aims to extend the system.

Last month, Weselsky said the GDL was planning strikes lasting between three and five days for 2024.

The GDL had also ruled out further industrial action over Christmas and the New Year after two rounds of strikes.