Back on Track: Deutsche Bahn Resumes Normal Operations After GDL Strike

The Deutsche Bahn (DB) has reset its switches to normal operation after being halted by recent strike actions. There are no significant delays to report, either in long-distance travel or on the routes of the regional and suburban railways, as confirmed by a company spokesperson. However, passengers should expect a high occupancy rate on trains, as there is a wave of postponed trips approaching. The standstill was due to the ongoing dispute between the railway and the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL), which has now escalated into a strike for the sixth time. The union’s goal is to revamp working conditions: higher salaries and shorter weekly working hours are at the heart of the controversy. The GDL firmly held onto its demands to reduce the weekly working hours from 38 to 35 for shift workers, without salary reductions – a request that has caused previous negotiations to fail. A moderated proposal from DB, which called for a gradual reduction to 36 hours, did not find acceptance with the GDL. Legal attempts by the railway to prevent this strike with a temporary injunction were unsuccessful in Frankfurt. This confirms that in future actions by the GDL, one must prepare for shorter notice periods and increased flexibility in the execution of strikes – a strategy that could also affect the upcoming Easter holidays.