German Railway Union Threatens Strikes Over Attacks on Staff

Germany's railway union EVG is escalating its demands for increased protection for train personnel, threatening nationwide strikes in regional transport beginning in January if the government fails to strengthen penalties for attacks against staff.

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The promised law for tougher penalties for attacks on train personnel must go to the Bundestag this year, otherwise we will paralyze operations in January.

"The promised law for tougher penalties for attacks on train personnel must go to the Bundestag this year, otherwise we will paralyze operations in January," warned union chief Martin Burkert in an interview with 'Bild am Sonntag'. Burkert cited the case of Serkan Çalar, a train conductor who was fatally attacked on a regional train earlier this year. "A train conductor was killed in the line of duty six months ago, and the politicians showed concerned faces and big words, but no action. The government is practicing work refusal, and the railway workers are paying for it with their health or even their lives," Burkert stated, emphasizing, "The politicians have forgotten Serkan. We have not."

Çalar's death, which occurred in February, led to the perpetrator being sentenced to ten years in prison for assault resulting in death. Despite such severe consequences, the union argues that current measures are insufficient to deter further violence.

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A train conductor was killed in the line of duty six months ago, and the politicians showed concerned faces and big words, but no action. The government is practicing work refusal, and the railway workers are paying for it with their health or even their lives.

Federal Minister of Transport Steffen Bilger (CDU) acknowledged the severity of the issue, stating, "Safety on the train is not a fringe issue. It is a fundamental prerequisite for functioning public transport." He announced government discussions aimed at increasing penalties for attacks on train personnel, similar to those already in place for emergency responders.

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The politicians have forgotten Serkan. We have not.

However, the union's patience is wearing thin. Ralf Damde, chairman of the general works council at DB Regio, highlighted the daily reality for many employees: "Statistically, eight colleagues are attacked every day on duty. No one knows before their shift whether they will come home healthy again." Damde warned that if the government continues to delay legislative action, works councils may refuse to approve duty rosters, effectively bringing train operations to a standstill. "Political standstill will then become train standstill."

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Safety on the train is not a fringe issue. It is a fundamental prerequisite for functioning public transport.