Train driver strike

Deutsche Bahn goes to court again

Deutsche Bahn passengers

(Bild: AFP)

The German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) has announced a strike on long-distance services at short notice for Tuesday. Deutsche Bahn is not prepared to accept this and has filed an urgent application for a temporary injunction with the Frankfurt Labor Court. However, it was already unsuccessful in January.

The strike was disproportionate and the lead time of just 22 hours was "a sheer imposition", Deutsche Bahn explained on Monday. "We consider these wave strikes to be disproportionate. They jeopardize the supply of services in the country," said Martin Seiler, Chief Human Resources Officer. "We are doing everything in the interests of our customers to prevent this strike." The court intends to hear the urgent application from 4.30 pm.

Emergency timetable drawn up
Nevertheless, Deutsche Bahn has already prepared for this with an emergency timetable (see video above). The offer is available via the Group's online platforms, the company announced. "The basic offer for regional and S-Bahn services will be gradually supplemented." The extent to which long-distance trains will run was not initially known. During the previous GDL strikes, Deutsche Bahn offered around a fifth of the usual long-distance services.

Deutsche Bahn train drivers are striking again on Tuesday.

(Bild: AFP)

ÖBB recommends postponing travel
The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) recommend that all travelers postpone non-essential trips to Germany or choose alternative travel options. The train connection for tickets to and from Germany has been canceled. Tickets purchased up to and including March 10 can be canceled and refunded if they are not used. Nightjet tickets to and from Germany can also be used during the day. All tickets are valid up to and including March 19.

Here you can see the tweet from Westbahn.

Westbahn not affected
The Westbahn announced that its trains were not affected by the restrictions. "The trains to Munich, Rosenheim and via the Deutsches Eck to Vorarlberg will run," the press release states.

As reported , the GDL had called for the sixth industrial action in the ongoing wage dispute on Sunday evening. The strike in passenger transport will begin at 2 a.m. on Tuesday and last for 24 hours, while the strike in freight transport will begin at 6 p.m. on Monday.

The latest strike by the train drivers' union only ended on Friday lunchtime. Among other things, the GDL is demanding a reduction in working hours from 38 to 25 hours per week for shift workers with full wage compensation and a tax and duty-free inflation compensation bonus. Deutsche Bahn already offers 36 hours per week with full pay compensation.