German GDL train drivers' union starts second strike, threatens more walkouts over wage dispute
Record ID:
1633426
German GDL train drivers' union starts second strike, threatens more walkouts over wage dispute
- Title: German GDL train drivers' union starts second strike, threatens more walkouts over wage dispute
- Date: 23rd August 2021
- Summary: COLOGNE, GERMANY (AUGUST 23, 2021) (REUTERS) DAWN EXTERIOR OF COLOGNE'S MAIN STATION VARIOUS OF TRAVELLERS ON PLATFORM NEXT TO EMPTY TRAIN TRACKS EMPTY TRACKS DEPARTURES SIGN READING IN GERMAN "CANCELLED" EMPTY TRACKS BERLIN, GERMANY (AUGUST 23, 2021) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF BERLIN'S MAIN STATION DEUTSCHE BAHN SPOKESMAN ACHIM STAUSS ARRIVING FOR STATEMENT SIGN IN GERMAN READING BERLIN MAIN STATION (SOUNDBITE) (German) DEUTSCHE BAHN SPOKESMAN, ACHIM STAUSS, SAYING: "This second GDL strike is even more unnecessary than the first one. Yesterday, we sent a strong signal to the head of GDL. We also want to talk about a coronavirus bonus during the negotiations which would come into effect this year even. At the same time, we called on the GDL to call off the passenger train strikes. GDL refused. This shows GDL is fighting a political battle and they are not interested in finding a solution at the negotiating table." TRAVELLERS LOOKING AT DEPARTURES BOARD CANCELLED TRAINS ON BOARD DEPARTURES BOARD SHOWING CANCELLATIONS AND LACK OF TRAINS DEUTSCHE BAHN OFFICIAL TALKING TO TRAVELLERS DESERTED TRAIN TRACKS GDL TRAIN DRIVERS' UNION HEAD CLAUS WESELSKY WALKING PAST (SOUNDBITE) (German) GDL TRAIN DRIVERS' UNION, HEAD CLAUS WESELSKY, SAYING: "The message is clear: they are highly intelligent, they are highly paid and they must make a move as is customary in wage negotiations. They must put a respectable offer on the table and that's when we are ready to negotiate. But not like this." WINDOWS ON CEILING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GDL TRAIN DRIVERS' UNION, HEAD CLAUS WESELSKY, SAYING: "Now we will have to wait and see whether Deutsche Bahn is making a move and if they do, we can negotiate. If they don't, we will announce the next strike and I think that one will be longer." EMPTY TRAIN TRACKS PLATFORM / EMPTY TRACKS
- Embargoed: 6th September 2021 11:46
- Keywords: Deutsche Bahn GDL chief Claus Weselsky German railway cancellation strike train drivers union GdL
- Location: COLOGNE & BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: COLOGNE & BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Company News Markets,Europe,Economic Events
- Reuters ID: LVA001ERI1RNR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Germany's GDdL train drivers' union on Monday (August 23) went on a second strike within weeks over a wage dispute.
The walkout at Deutsche Bahn affecting passengers began at 2 a.m. (0000 GMT) and will last until Wednesday early morning.
German railway Deutsche Bahn accused the GDL of "fighting a political battle," saying the union was "not interested in finding a solution at the negotiating table."
GDL chief Claus Weselsky in an interview with Reuters Television called on Deutsche Bahn to "put a respectable offer on the table."
Otherwise, Weselsky said, "we will announce the next strike and I think that one will be longer."
GDL is demanding a wage increase of around 3.2% and a one-time coronavirus allowance of 600 euros ($700).
Deutsche Bahn said earlier this month that its offer was very close to GDL's demands.
(Production: Erol Dogrudogan, Oliver Ellrodt, Michele Sani, Fanny Brodersen) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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