German railway union threatens strikes over staff safety law

The German railway union EVG is poised to initiate nationwide strikes in January unless the government strengthens laws against attacks on train personnel. Union leader Martin Burkert declared that the promised legislation for harsher penalties must be submitted to the Bundestag this year, or the union will paralyze operations in January. Burkert accused politicians of forgetting the train conductor killed earlier this year, lamenting the lack of action beyond expressions of sympathy. He criticized the government for "work avoidance," stating that railway workers pay with their health or lives.

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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.

Earlier in February, train conductor Serkan Çalar was fatally attacked by a passenger on a regional express train. The assailant received a ten-year prison sentence for assault resulting in death. Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger had previously announced government discussions to increase penalties for attacks on train conductors, similar to those for emergency responders. Ralf Damde, chairman of the works council at DB Regio, echoed the call for consequences, highlighting that eight colleagues are attacked daily on average. He warned that if the law remains stalled, works councils will refuse to approve duty rosters, effectively halting trains due to political inaction.

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The government is practicing work avoidance; the railway workers are paying for it with their health or even their lives.