As of: January 9, 2024 10:27 a.m
The German Locomotive Drivers’ Union (GDL) has again announced a warning strike in the ongoing wage dispute with Deutsche Bahn. Hardly any trains are expected to run between Wednesday and Friday. Many train travelers are annoyed. A young train driver from MV explains why railway workers consider an increase in wages and shorter working hours to be appropriate.
“This has simply been my dream job since I was a child. It was clear to me in elementary school that I would one day become a train driver,” says Jonas Wagner. The fascination with trains seems to run in the family. One of his great-grandfathers worked for the Federal Railway Authority. Jonas Wagner worked on model railways with his grandfather. He began photographing trains in his free time early on and became interested in technology.
Further information
The train drivers’ strike in passenger traffic is scheduled to last until Friday at 6 p.m. The railway failed in court with an interim injunction, but appealed. more
After graduating from high school, Wagner completed a three-year apprenticeship at Deutsche Bahn. He has finally been a train driver for a good year and a half now. He regularly drives the regional trains between Rostock and Hamburg, Wismar and Ludwigslust as well as Lübeck and Neubrandenburg. At 22 years old, he is one of the youngest – if not the youngest – in this job in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. “There is nothing better for me. I wouldn’t trade this job for anything in the world.” But he also says: “Not everything is nice in this job.”
Train driver describes poor working conditions in his dream job
It was clear to him that he would work shifts. But the fact that it is so unregulated bothers him. “Sometimes you start at 3:18 a.m., the next day at 12:54 p.m. and the next day the shift starts at 10:04 p.m. It’s always back and forth.” Jonas Wagner isn’t sure how long his body can handle this. He hopes to be able to hold out until retirement despite all the stress. Not all of his colleagues would be able to do that.
“Twelve-hour shifts are not uncommon for us – both planned and involuntary.” The frequently late trains often mean a late end to work. “The shifts, which are already planned very tightly, quickly become twelve hours or even longer. I find that very problematic in such a responsible job.” Over the years, however, according to Wagner, a second problem in particular has become particularly stressful: the way customers treat him.
The aggressiveness of train passengers has “extremely increased”
“For all the incompetence of the railway, for everything that the railway has done to passengers, this is what we get (Editor’s note: frustration) away. The board or any timetable creators don’t get this. We can handle all of that.” The aggressiveness and intensity of the passengers’ complaints have increased extremely. “Everything from verbal to physical attacks are now there and it’s almost on the agenda.” The train drivers would actually like to get the passengers to their destination on time “The problem with the whole thing is that everything is being ruined. We can no longer do this systematically. That’s stressful. No shift goes according to plan. There are deviations every day. Everything is messed up.”
According to Wagner, he and his colleagues lose fun at work. Depending on how many Sunday, public holiday and night surcharges Wagner receives, he ends up with around 2,200 to 2,400 euros net per month. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old is of the opinion that the overall working conditions are simply not sustainable – especially in times of a shortage of skilled workers. It is the railway’s turn to make the profession more attractive again. The train driver from Rüting only sees two options: “More money and less working time.”
Further information
Two railway workers from Schleswig-Holstein explain why they are on strike and what is more important to them than money. more
Deutsche Bahn considers the strike to be “superfluous”
Exactly these points can be found in the GDL’s core demands in the current collective bargaining round. The union is demanding, among other things, 555 euros more per month for all railway workers, a tax-exempt inflation compensation bonus of 3,000 euros and a 35-hour week – instead of the previous 38. This week is the third and longest strike by union members in the country ongoing dispute.
Deutsche Bahn responded immediately to the strike call. She tried to take legal action against it. The labor court in Frankfurt am Main rejected the urgent application for an interim injunction. The railway announced that it would appeal. According to its own information, the group is working on an emergency roadmap. Meanwhile, DB human resources director Martin Seiler called the strike “superfluous.” He pointed out that the railway had presented a new offer at the end of last week, in which it had “taken a big step towards” the union. Seiler also announced in writing that the implementation of all 35 GDL requirements would increase personnel costs by 50 percent.
The ProBahn passenger association in MV speaks of “passengers being held hostage”
The ProBahn passenger association in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania takes a critical look at the hardened fronts. Association chairman Marcel Drews emphasizes: “We thought it would make more sense if the negotiating partners returned to the negotiating table.” He is worried about the strain on many passengers. These could adapt to the circumstances in the event of short strikes of a maximum of one day. “With three days, the limit of reasonableness drops.” Drews also hopes for a quick agreement, “because this is the only way to act in the interests of the passengers to ensure that the contracting parties have a usable offer and to end the captivity of passengers.”
Jonas Wagner has some understanding for the travelers’ dissatisfaction and frustration. After all, they would hinder many people in their everyday lives. But the strike is necessary. “Everyone in Germany has the opportunity to organize in a union, to enter into industrial action and to take to the streets for more money. This is a fundamental right and we make use of it regularly.” Finally, the train driver says that this is the only way they can force their employer to take action. Jonas Wagner is pretty sure this won’t be the last strike in this round of collective bargaining.
Further information
Rail traffic will be massively affected by a warning strike from Wednesday to Friday. What can rail customers do? more
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NDR 1 Radio MV | News from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | 09.01.2024 | 4:00 p.m