Railway workers in Germany are set to stage another strike, following failed wage talks with the state train operator Deutsche Bahn and around 50 other rail companies. The country’s railway union EVG announced on Thursday a 50-hour strike that is scheduled to begin at 10 pm on Sunday and end at midnight on Tuesday.
The strike is the latest in a series of industrial actions across several European countries, as the cost of living crisis continues to affect incomes. Cosima Ingenschay, the head of collective bargaining at EVG, stated that the offer on the table must be significantly improved. Deutsche Bahn, on the other hand, called the planned strike „completely unjustified and completely excessive”, reports Euroactiv.
Deutsche Bahn warned that the strike would have a massive impact on all German rail operations and a considerable impact on freight traffic throughout Europe. The company’s executive board member, Martin Seiler, stated that „the EVG wants to paralyse the country for an unbelievable 50 hours instead of seeking compromise.”
The EVG is seeking a 12% wage increase or at least an additional €650 per month on behalf of the 230,000 workers it represents, including 180,000 at Deutsche Bahn. In response, Deutsche Bahn has offered a 10% wage increase for lower and middle-income workers and an 8% wage increase for higher earners, phased in over time.
This strike follows a nationwide strike by rail workers in April that brought much of the network to a halt, coinciding with walkouts at German airports by members of another union. With rail operations set to be disrupted for two days, the strike is likely to cause significant inconvenience and economic impact, affecting commuters, businesses, and freight traffic alike.
Photo credits @ EVG (photo for illustrative purposes only)