German train drivers IThey started this Wednesday fourth strikeAmong its warnings, it was the longest in the history of the industry. industry and experts destruction This will cause in itself complex economic recovery related to Germany. “Affected companies face huge problems,” the company warned in a statement. Federation of German Industry (BDI) before that six-day national holiday both passenger and freight trains. “Hard restrictions are coming that will lead to troublesome restrictions.” Falling production and industrial stagnation“Continues the BDI, which defines loss estimates up to ‘as realistic'” 1 billion euros.
The BDI recalls that German industry currently suffers from a “fragile” situation, implying that a German image is also damaged basic sector For transportation across Europe. endangered supply to the automobile, paper, chemical, steel and wood industries. The supply chain is compromised; Such a prolonged outage has consequences for affected sectors that extend beyond these six days.
Industry alerting is not just a routine communication in such labor disputes. occurred after Germany recorded an economic weakness contraction finally remained at 0.3% as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). The recovery in the eurozone’s leading economy will be slower than expected. Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Experts are already correcting their 2024 forecasts downwards. One of the six main economic institutions of the country, Ifo, reduced its growth forecast for this year to one 0.7% of GDPThat’s compared to the already modest 0.9% calculated in December.
Passenger resignation
A strike call was made for train drivers GDL unionRepresenting 10,000 members of 221,000 employees German Bahn (DB)German train company. Media leader Klaus Weselsky described the employers’ association’s latest offer, consisting of a 4.8% salary increase this year and 5% next year, a single payment of 2,850 euros and a work cut, as “unpresentable”. Starting from 2026, daily working hours have been increased from 38 hours per week to 37 hours. GDL requires a minimum increase of 555 euros per month, a reduction to 35 hours per week and a salary of 3,000 euros.
From the economic perspective, there is pressure on the Government to mediate to find a solution to the labor conflict. Successive protests and strikes by rural workers and transporters. DB management offers those affected a refund of tickets purchased these days or a free replacement for them after the strike. It also guarantees a minimum service of one in every five trains.
Warnings from the industry contradict the resignation with which citizens accept this new strike. Many Germans They have already lost faith in the efficiency of railways. According to the data accepted by the company, in 2023 only one in three trains will reach their destination on time. The data is even more shocking if you take into account that a train delayed by 15 minutes or more is considered “off-punctual.” This is an inappropriate situation for a country that feeds on an obsolete network like Germany. Its renewal is a The problem that has been waiting for Germany since the time of Angela Merkel something the current Government has not undertaken due to budgetary obligations.
Source: Informacion
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