Machinists german rail network –Deutsche Bahn, DB– we started a campaign to hit National In addition to paralyzing rail traffic, three-day blood pressure precipitated by farmers protest campaign. Train stations appeared empty this Wednesday, with minimal service for both long-distance and regional or commuter trains (only one in five was plying). This is the third strike campaign launched by the machinists’ union. GDLRepresenting approximately 10,000 members and stalled for several days last December and November.
GDL management considered the employers’ last offer as a “provocation” and requested compensation. Reducing working hours to 35 hours per weekwith no pay cuts compared to the current 38. This is the main demand of the union leader and the media Klaus WeselskyThe company gained the support of 97% of the affiliates it consulted for its call. It is a minority group within the workforce of 221,000 DB employees in Germany, but it demonstrates the strong position of train drivers.
Previous railway stoppages were accepted with resignation by citizens, for whom Deutsche Bahn offered a full refund of purchased tickets or a free exchange for another day. But the current strike coincides with blockades tractor drivers The epidemic, which started last Monday and spread throughout Germany, is expected to last until next Monday. The intersection of the railway strike and the countryside, events Between strikers and drivers trying to break the blockade.
Revolt of the German countryside
The German camp mobilizations were started last December by Olaf Scholz’s government, Cut in agricultural diesel subsidies. This is one of the measures agreed by the tripartite party of social democrats, greens and liberals at the end of 2023. It was a triggering sentence. Constitutional Court Blocked 60 billion euros on the grounds of violation debt brake. Under pressure from his liberal partners, Scholz committed to respecting this instrument, for which cuts would be necessary in successive departments and especially in the field of Climate Protection. The German farm warns that eliminating tax benefits from its operations would jeopardize its existence.
Scholz responded to the first mobilization of tractor drivers by correcting some of the announced measures. But the field needs more support. Formations in their walks far rightis keen to capitalize on any protest votes against Scholz’s coalition, which is in free fall in the polls. Signs of protest and booing began to come from the Greens against Economy Minister Robert Habeck and Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir. President of the country, Frank-Walter Steinmeierwarned against increasing aggression permeating the protests and hate messages included slogans. Farmers’ organizations distanced themselves from the radicals who attended their rallies, but insisted that they would defend their interests with or without the presence of these infiltrators.