Pünktlich?!?!

You could say a train that will not ride at all, is at least not late. The Germans will probably not laugh at this statement. Strike after strike, after strike, after strike. It feels like a never ending story. And they are already very unhappy with their, never in time arriving, trains. So let’s have a look at München Hauptbahnhof during one of the many strikes.

Entering the station with the U1, there are a lot of people on the tracks waiting for their metro, but that is not weird since Hauptbahnhof also has a big metro station. There still is a lot of noise in the main street of the station, it is not quiet. People are still walking, speedwalking and running around. On the first watch it doesn’t seem quit different. But if you take a quick look at the McDonalds on the left you see that there are no lines for the order screens. Maria, McDonalds employee, ‘’Luckily there are still people here, but it is way calmer than it is on other days.’’ Walking towards the trains, you see more and more people with lots of luggage.

Reason for the strike

The train drivers, supported by the trade union GDL, ask for better wages and less working hours. It will be the longest train strike ever. They now have workweeks containing of 38 hours. The Deutsche Bahn is not happy with the strike, they say that they did a good proposal for the train drivers. A workweek of 37 hours and 13 percent more wage. The train drivers don’t except that proposal, they want an 35 hour workweek and the same wage they have now. Not all trains are cancelled 80% of the trains are cancelled that’s why there are still people at the station.

When arrived at the tracks it is noticeable how calm it is. There are still some trains driving but most tracks aren’t used. Most people knew the strike was coming. There are not many people stuck at the station. There is a weird atmosphere, people walk around looking like they accepted the delay. ‘’My train is four ours delayed, but at least I’m able to get home today’’ Max, passenger, says. He needs to get back to Stuttgart after a work trip.

A small group of people are standing in front of the screen where the trains get announced. They’re looking tired. A baby in a stroller cries on the other side. The parents have multiple bags and other types of luggage with them. ‘’Our train is not cancelled, right?’’ the mom asks. The dad answers ‘’not yet…’’ and they walk by hoping they don’t have to wait any longer with their crying baby.

It is busy at the Deutsche Bahn information point. Many people want to know when they will be able to catch their train. When asked about the strikes the Deutsche Bahn employee doesn’t want to answer questions.

Big losses

Not only passengers are hurt by the strike. Companies are facing big problems as well. Industry association BDI says that the loss, because of the strike of the freight trains, can be around one billion euros.

On the way back to the metro there are people arguing, someone says ‘’I think it is good people have the right to strike, but it really is extremely annoying.’’