GERMANY-TRAINS/STRIKE-MEDIATOR German railway operator proposes mediator to resolve train strike

Record ID: 156779

  • Title: GERMANY-TRAINS/STRIKE-MEDIATOR German railway operator proposes mediator to resolve train strike
  • Date: 6th May 2015
  • Summary: POTSDAM, GERMANY (FILE - AUGUST 28, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIAL DEMOCRAT PARTY AND FORMER BRANDENBURG STATE PREMIER MATTHIAS PLATZECK SEATED IN BRANDENBURG'S STATE PARLIAMENT
  • Embargoed: 21st May 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAB7L7QGQ0UZJ7T3JDNNV3L4TAA
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: German rail operator Deutsche Bahn on Wednesday (May 6) suggested appointing an independent mediator to help resolve a dispute with the GDL train drivers' union and stop a strike causing nationwide disruption.
    Deutsche Bahn Chairman Ruediger Grube said he sent a letter earlier in the day to the GDL union proposing Matthias Platzeck, a former chairman of the Social Democrat party and former Brandenburg state premier, to mediate.
    "We want to get back to the negotiating table, preferably right away today or by this evening," Grube said.
    But GDL leader Claus Weselsky said he had not yet received any letter and told a rally in Cologne that his union would keep striking until Sunday (May 10) morning as planned.
    "The alleged offer can only be a PR stunt if the person who should have received the offer still does not have it two hours later," Weselsky said.
    The GDL union, which represents 20,000 train drivers, launched the walkout to back demands to negotiate on behalf of other railway workers such as train stewards for a five percent pay rise and a reduction in the work week to 37 hours from 39.
    Deutsche Bahn, which has 200,000 employees, has offered its drivers a 4.7 percent pay rise plus a one-off payment of 1,000 euros ($1,123.30). But it refuses to let the GDL negotiate wage deals for workers in the company who do not drive trains.
    In what will be the longest strike in Deutsche Bahn's 21-year history, the train drivers walked off the job on Monday (May 4).
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