German Railways urges union to negotiate after Monday’s mega-strike

German railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB) today called on the union of the EVG sector to continue negotiations after the strike 24-hour warning that yesterday paralyzed passenger transport in a large part of Germanyboth in long and medium distance trains, as well as in the main airports.

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“We again urge EVG to return to the negotiating table. We must negotiate now and not pause for Easter. Freight employees, passengers and customers deserve to see us quickly reach a solution at the negotiating table.”said the DB spokesman Achim Strauss.

He Railway and Transport Union (EVG) it had previously reported that there will be no negotiations at Easter and therefore no warning strike during the holidays either.

EVG is negotiating with DB and fifty other railway companies for wage increases for around 230,000 employees.

Members of the EVG railway union protest at the main train station in Stuttgart, southern Germany, during a warning strike on March 27, 2023. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP) (THOMAS KIENZLE /)

The first round of talks It concluded last week and the second, according to the union, will begin this Wednesday in succession with the various companies, although talks with DB, the largest employer, are not scheduled until the end of April.

The DB spokesman had described yesterday as “very disconcerting that they are already on strike” and just be willing to trade again in five weeks.

“The mega strike from EVG has ended. The good news for our passengers is that we have started the day as planned.”reported Strauß this morning from the central station in Berlin.

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Already yesterday, as the strike subsided, DB was able to put some commuter and commuter trains back into circulation merchandise transports, although long-distance traffic was suspended throughout the day.

This Tuesday there will still be alterations in some high-speed connections, while no restrictions are expected in regional and suburban transport, he added.

EVG it demands at least 650 euros more per month for all employees or 12% more money with higher salaries.

Unions demanding higher wages to help their members cope with the rising cost of living saw staff at airports and public transport leave after midnight for a 24-hour strike. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP) (THOMAS KIENZLE /)

DB for its part has proposed, among other offers, increase the salaries of the approximately 180,000 affected employees by 5% in two tranchesas well as a single payment of 2,500 euros.

The strike called by the service sector union ver.di and EVG paralyzed not only long and medium-distance trains and traffic at numerous airports, but also local public transport in seven of the 16 federal states and the ports and locks for maritime transport.

Since midnight on Sunday some 350,000 workers from various sectors from all over the country -120,000 members of ver.di and 230,000 railway and long-distance bus employees- were called to support this 24-hour warning strike.

Source: Elcomercio