Empty train station in Germany

All quiet on the German train stations

Stations were deserted in the early hours on Monday. DB AG / Volker Emersleben

The previously announced rail and transport strike in Germany crippled train traffic on Monday as expected. Deutsche Bahn reported empty train stations and platforms in an update on Monday morning, indicating that travellers had paid heed to previously issued warnings about not travelling. It added that station staff was also on strike.

The strike was announced last Thursday by EVG on behalf of DB staff, representing 230.000 employees, and Verdi, which represents public transport companies and the airport workers, representing 2,5 million employees. Just before midnight on Sunday, long-distance ICE train traffic was suspended. This followed two days of frantic travel on these ICE trains on Friday and Saturday, DB reports.

In addition to the ICE services, freight trains, regional trains and S-bahn commuter services are also impacted by Monday’s strike. According to DB, travellers might be able to make use of regional services here and there, depending on the course of the strike.

DB called the proposed strike “baseless and unnecessary”. The company also noted that it is ready to talk at any time. DB additionally pointed to the fact that it recently submitted an offer, and that the next scheduled date for negotiations is at the end of April. “To strike now and not negotiate for four weeks, the unions can’t be serious about that”, personnel director Martin Seiler said in a statement last week. Bargaining with EVG began at the end of February, with DB’s first offer tabled last week. It includes, the operator claims, a minimum wage of 13 euros per hour and the harmonisation of regional wages, as per the union’s request.

Further reading:

Author: Nick Augusteijn

Former Chief Editor of RailTech.com

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All quiet on the German train stations | RailTech.com
Empty train station in Germany

All quiet on the German train stations

Stations were deserted in the early hours on Monday. DB AG / Volker Emersleben

The previously announced rail and transport strike in Germany crippled train traffic on Monday as expected. Deutsche Bahn reported empty train stations and platforms in an update on Monday morning, indicating that travellers had paid heed to previously issued warnings about not travelling. It added that station staff was also on strike.

The strike was announced last Thursday by EVG on behalf of DB staff, representing 230.000 employees, and Verdi, which represents public transport companies and the airport workers, representing 2,5 million employees. Just before midnight on Sunday, long-distance ICE train traffic was suspended. This followed two days of frantic travel on these ICE trains on Friday and Saturday, DB reports.

In addition to the ICE services, freight trains, regional trains and S-bahn commuter services are also impacted by Monday’s strike. According to DB, travellers might be able to make use of regional services here and there, depending on the course of the strike.

DB called the proposed strike “baseless and unnecessary”. The company also noted that it is ready to talk at any time. DB additionally pointed to the fact that it recently submitted an offer, and that the next scheduled date for negotiations is at the end of April. “To strike now and not negotiate for four weeks, the unions can’t be serious about that”, personnel director Martin Seiler said in a statement last week. Bargaining with EVG began at the end of February, with DB’s first offer tabled last week. It includes, the operator claims, a minimum wage of 13 euros per hour and the harmonisation of regional wages, as per the union’s request.

Further reading:

Author: Nick Augusteijn

Former Chief Editor of RailTech.com

Add your comment

characters remaining.

Log in through one of the following social media partners to comment.