The situation between union GDL and Deutsche Bahn is becoming more complex. The locomotive drivers’ union carried out a 20-hour-long rail strike last week. GDL is now calling its members to vote for an extended industrial action, which could also be preceded by multiple warning strikes. For DB, this is an absurd reaction, considering that the two parties have not even entered the second round of negotiations on collective labour agreements. The question in this case is whether Germany can afford another massive strike or multiple smaller-scale ones.