Tag Archives: Deutsche Bahn

More Strikes

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The [last train strike](/2007/10/05/german-train-company-strike/) was completely ineffectual. I guess even the striking union members noticed this, and they’ve now announced to [strike for four whole days](http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/0,1518,510342,00.html), probably Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday. I’m still thinking that their demand of 31% pay raise is the product of a deranged imagination; of course the union boss has now publicly stated that it was never their intention to actually get 31%. (Yes, sir, we all know how bargaining works, thank you.)

I do not like the train company, and I do not like train company employees. It’s very hard to chose sides. I just want [my trains](/2007/10/04/not-a-good-day/) to be on time. No matter what the compromise at the end of this strike, it won’t help achieve that desire.

German Train Company Strike

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The German train drivers are on strike today. The train drivers are asking for their own contract – separate from the rest of the train company employees – and for 31% more salary.

Yesterday, it was almost impossible to get any information, as service lines were busy and the train company’s website was down due to the heavy load. This morning, I checked and it said my subway would be on time. I decided to take a risk and go for it as usual. And lo and behold – it was exactly on time. In fact, it was much more punctual than on regular days.

Assuming that the people on strike are not the incompetent people who are causing delays, I guess this simply shows that the Frankfurt rail system is overloaded – take out some trains and suddenly everything runs smoothly. As far as I am concerned, they could really make this a normal condition.

As for the 31% pay rise demanded by the train drivers… I think those guys are completely nuts.