Deutsche Bahn filed an injunction against the strike at a Frankfurt am Main labor court on Thursday morning, after talks between management and the GDL train drivers’ union failed.
The move came as German train drivers stepped up their industrial action by extending a strike of freight trains to passenger traffic, having rejected a new offer from Deutsche Bahn.
“This labor dispute is obviously more about legal and political issues than about finding solutions for good working conditions at the negotiating table,” said a statement from the company after it filed the objection.
What’s behind the strike?
The strike, the third and longest in the current dispute, has affected freight services since Wednesday afternoon and passenger traffic from early on Thursday. The strike is due to run until 2 a.m. on Tuesday.
The train driver trade union GDL, which held two strikes in August, is demanding a 3.2% increase for drivers in addition to a coronavirus bonus of €600 ($710).
Late on Wednesday, Deutsche Bahn offered to pay a coronavirus bonus of up to €600 and to introduce the increase over a shorter period. Previously, the company had not specified the amount of the bonus.
Deutsche Bahn had argued there was now no need for train drivers to strike. “We are fulfilling the GDL’s central demands,” said Martin Seiler, member of the board of directors of Deutsche Bahn’s personnel department.
Union brands deal unacceptable
However, the offer was not enough to win over the union leadership and have it call off the strike.
“The bad news for Bahn customers: The strike will continue,” GDL chair Claus Weselsky told public broadcaster ARD on Thursday.
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Europe’s 10 most beautiful railway stations
Antwerp Central – a gem in the diamond capital
If you arrive in the diamond and port city of Antwerp by train, you should definitely take the time to admire the architecture. The huge central station, which locals call the “railway cathedral,” is one of the city’s main attractions. When King Leopold II of Belgium saw it at its opening in 1905, he was impressed. His comment: “C’est une petite belle gare.” (“It’s a lovely little station”).
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Europe’s 10 most beautiful railway stations
Liege-Guillemins – A showpiece of glass and steel
In the same country, but in stark contrast to Antwerp: Liege-Guillemins railway station — a light-flooded futuristic structure of glass, steel and concrete. Every day 500 trains stop at the station, which is slightly outside the city center and an important junction in Europe’s high speed network. It was designed by the celebrated Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.
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Europe’s 10 most beautiful railway stations
Amsterdam Centraal station – A colossus on wooden piles
It’s not just the architecture of Amsterdam’s central station in the Netherlands that’s impressive. It stands on three artificial islands supported by 8687 wooden piles. The neo-Gothic building was designed by the Dutch architect Petrus Cuypers, whose work consisted mainly of churches — and with its towers and embellishments, the station bears some similarity to a medieval cathedral.
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Europe’s 10 most beautiful railway stations
Gare de Lyon – Possibly the world’s most beautiful station restaurant
The Gare de Lyon in Paris already looks impressive from the outside: a magnificent building in Belle Epoque style. But its interior is splendid as well. Two marble staircases lead up to the iconic restaurant, “Le Train Bleu”. Its ornate walls feature frescoes depicting the loveliest landscapes in France. This is one train station you really shouldn’t miss!
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Europe’s 10 most beautiful railway stations
Helsinki Central Station – Landmark with TV experience
This station is a television celebrity — at least the four huge statues next to the entrance are. They often play a role in advertising campaigns and are landmarks in Helsinki. On the one hand, the building’s Finnish granite gives it a massive look, and on the other, its large windows allow light to pour in. This masterpiece by the Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen was inaugurated in 1919.
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Europe’s 10 most beautiful railway stations
St. Pancras – Victorian masterpiece
The Victorian brick facade of London St. Pancras, now officially St. Pancras International, looks almost palatial. Inside, large halls with many shops and restaurants await travelers. The station is a terminus mainly for international trains. Most domestic services terminate at King’s Cross, the modern station right next to it, where some scenes from the “Harry Potter” series were filmed.
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Europe’s 10 most beautiful railway stations
Leipzig’s Main Station – Europe’s largest terminus
With 23 platforms, a 298-meter facade and some 80,000 square meters of floor area, Leipzig’s main station is considered the largest terminus in Europe. And it’s more than just a railway station: here there are more than 140 shops, restaurants and services on three levels. In addition, events regularly take place in the side halls. On Sunday, many shops are open — an exception in Germany.
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Europe’s 10 most beautiful railway stations
Budapest Keleti (eastern) station – once the most modern station of its time
Budapest is rich in magnificent monumental buildings, and Keleti station is definitely one of them. Opened in 1884, in its time it was considered the most modern railway station in Europe, as it had electric light and central signaling control. Nowadays its Renaissance Revival architecture is what most impresses visitors.
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Europe’s 10 most beautiful railway stations
Madrid Atocha – Waiting in a jungle
Atocha railway station, built from 1888 to 1892 in Art Nouveau style, is one of Madrid’s two long-distance train stations. It has a surprise for passengers: a huge tropical garden with a turtle pond and 7000 plants. It’s also well worth looking upwards, because the concourse is famous for its gigantic iron and glass roof.
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Europe’s 10 most beautiful railway stations
Lisbon’s Rossio station – Small but perfectly formed
Beautiful stations don’t always have to be big. Lisbon’s Rossio station, on the square of the same name in the heart of the Portuguese capital, proves that. The small terminus with its two horseshoe-shaped entrances opened in 1890. The facade is designed in the Neo-Manueline style, a revival of the 16th century Manueline style so typical of Portugal.
Author: Elisabeth Yorck von Wartenburg
Weselsky gave a list of objections to the deal, including that it would not apply to newer members of the union who have joined in the past 14 months. It would also include a year in which there would be no increase. The company has said this is necessary as it consolidates in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
“Nobody, and especially no union in the world could accept this offer,” Weselsky said.
During the strike days, Deutsche Bahn says it aims to keep a quarter of long-distance traffic trains running. For regional and suburban rail services, the company hopes to operate about 40% of journeys. Eastern regions and larger cities were expected to be worst hit.
The larger rail and transport union EVG has already reached an agreement with Deutsche Bahn, but the train drivers’ union considers the results insufficient.
sms/rc (Reuters, dpa)
Article source: https://www.dw.com/en/deutsche-bahn-files-injunction-against-german-rail-strike/a-59057435?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf