Vanda SvobodovaThe German railway system is bracing for a significant disruption as train drivers, represented by the GDL union, have announced a six-day strike. This industrial action, aimed at securing higher wages and better working conditions, is set to paralyze not only domestic transportation in Germany but also affect connections with neighboring countries, including the Czech Republic.
The decision to strike comes despite a new offer made by Deutsche Bahn (DB), the German national railway company, last Friday. DB’s proposal included a reduction in weekly working hours from 38 to 37 with full salary retention and a wage increase of up to 13 percent. However, the GDL union dismissed this offer as insincere.
The GDL union is demanding a reduction in weekly working hours from 38 to 35 for shift workers while maintaining full pay, a monthly wage increase of 555 euros (approximately 13,650 CZK), and a one-time inflation compensation of 3,000 euros (73,400 CZK). DB has rejected these demands, arguing that they would lead to a 50 percent increase in personnel costs. DB’s latest proposal includes up to a 13 percent wage increase and a one-time bonus of 2,850 euros (69,700 CZK), which would be tax-exempt under government anti-inflation measures. According to DB, train drivers earn between 45,000 and 56,000 euros annually, including bonuses and allowances.
The reduced working hours of 37 hours per week, introduced by DB’s HR chief Martin Seiler last Friday, would come into effect from January 1, 2026. In this scenario, drivers could choose between shorter working hours with the same salary or longer hours with a 2.7 percent pay increase.
While the GDL union has repeatedly criticized DB’s stance, they have cited Go-Ahead and Netinera as examples of good cooperation. Both companies have agreed to gradually reduce working hours to 35 per week by January 2028 and to pay an anti-inflation premium of 3,000 euros (73,500 CZK).
DB train drivers, members of the GDL union, have already staged three strikes since November, with the last one occurring in the second week of January. The last strike in passenger transport lasted 64 hours, while the freight transport strike was eight hours longer. Due to the protest, EuroCity trains between Prague and Berlin did not operate, and regional trains between Cheb and the Bavarian town of Marktredwitz were also canceled. Some express trains between Prague and Munich, which were not affected by the previous two strikes, also faced disruptions.
The strike is expected to have a significant impact on the German transportation network, echoing previous protests that have brought the country’s transport system to a standstill. The situation underscores the ongoing tensions between labor unions and national railway companies across Europe, as workers demand better pay and conditions in the face of rising living costs and challenging working environments. As the strike unfolds, its effects will be felt not only in Germany but also in neighboring countries, highlighting the interconnected nature of European rail transport and the widespread implications of such industrial actions.
