(de-news.net) – SPD chairman Klingbeil has spoken out against changes to the right to strike and described identical demands as a “big hammer.” The CDU-CSU had previously called for stricter strike rules in the area of critical infrastructure. For example, the Mid-Tier and Economic Union is in favor of introducing mandatory arbitration before a strike is implemented. CDU general secretary Linnemann, as well as the CSU parliamentary group leader in the Bavarian state parliament, Holetschek, and the president of the Wholesale and Foreign Trade Association, Jandura, had already raised this issue. Klingbeil replied that with the SPD there will be no restrictions on the right to strike for higher wages, although the SPD chairman “sometimes gets annoyed” himself when trains arrive late.
In addition to mandatory arbitration, the CSU-CSU had also suggested that there should be fixed deadlines before and between strikes – a so-called cooling-off phase for companies that need to regenerate after a strike phase. There should also be agreements on a minimum supply – even if strikes are a constitutionally protected good. For his part, Holetschek said: “Inflationary strikes damage the reputation of our country and Germany as a business location.” Connemann, on her part, emphasized in a radio report: “The strike endangers the railway’s energy transport.” The latest strike was an “attack on Germany as a business location.”
Federal Economics Minister Habeck (Greens) had previously called on the collective bargaining parties Deutsche Bahn and GDL to quickly come to an agreement: “It’s about millions of commuters who have to get to their workplace, as well as large quantities of goods that our economy, and therefore the country, urgently need.” Transport Minister Wissing (FDP) accused GDL boss Weselsky of irresponsibility. The minister said: “Mr. Weselsky continues to overreach.” A formal arbitration procedure is urgently required, Wissing concluded.
On Tuesday, the Hessian State Labor Court decided that a sixth GDL strike could take place which, in this case, lasted 24 hours. The instrument of the locomotive drivers’ so-called ‘wave strike’ is permissible and proportionate, the verdict said. The railway had sued and called the renewed strike “unreasonable,” while Weselsky spoke of an “inevitable” dispute measure.
From today’s Wednesday, regular rail operations will be guaranteed again. During the strike, the railways provided basic long-distance, regional and S-Bahn services.
