Railway Union Threatens Nationwide Strikes After Attack on Train Conductor
Following a deadly attack on a train conductor, the railway union EVG has threatened a nationwide strike in January. The union criticizes the policy amid perceived safety gaps, while the justice minister's draft law for harsher penalties remains stalled in internal talks. Works councils are planning planned disruptions at major rail operators.
A deadly attack on a train conductor has prompted the federal government to demand stricter penalties against violent offenders concerning railway employees. Given the political delays in passing new laws, the railway union EVG threatened a nationwide safety strike in January. The union criticizes the current policy, noting a perceived lack of guaranteed personal safety. In response, works councils are planning to refuse their duty rosters at DB Regio as well as at private regional railways, while the justice minister's draft law for harsher penalties is currently deadlocked in internal negotiations.